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HomeNewsNews from the Essential Fleet SectorWiltshire Council is trialling an electric Refuse Collection Vehicle

Wiltshire Council is trialling an electric Refuse Collection Vehicle

Wiltshire Council has invested in a 100% electric Refuse Collection Vehicle (eRCV) that will be trialed across the county by its waste collection contractor, Hills. This initiative supports the council’s objectives to reduce carbon emissions and modernize its fleet with low-carbon vehicles.

Starting this January, the trial aims to test the vehicle’s performance in real operational settings throughout the large rural county. This will assist in planning Wiltshire’s future waste collection fleet requirements.

The Volvo FE Low Entry Cab RCV will be tested in various operating depots and assigned to household waste collection routes, initially focusing on urban areas in the northern part of the county, such as Calne and Chippenham. The trial will later extend to the city of Salisbury, and eventually evaluate the vehicle’s performance in semi-urban, semi-rural, and primarily rural routes.

Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Waste and Environment, stated, “This is an exciting collaboration with Volvo Trucks, which has extensive experience in the electric vehicle market. The 100% electric RCV contributes to cleaner air as it produces no exhaust emissions. This trial brings us closer to our goal of modernizing the council’s waste collection fleet with low-carbon vehicles and ultimately reducing carbon emissions.”

He continued, “This trial will help us determine what percentage of collection routes can realistically be serviced by an electric vehicle, fully assessing the capabilities of eRCVs in Wiltshire. It will play a significant role in shaping the future procurement of waste collection vehicles and how they can be utilized across the county. We can’t wait to see it on the road soon throughout our communities.”

Ed Dodd, Deputy Chief Executive of the Hills Group, added, “We are excited to support Wiltshire Council’s carbon-neutral mission with the trial of the 100% electric Volvo RCV. Our crews are eager to test the eRCV across various collection routes in the county. This is another example of our commitment to operating sustainably, which already includes route planning to minimize mileage and driver training to enhance fuel efficiency.”

Amy Stokes, Head of e-Mobility at Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, said, “Our electric technology is designed to deliver performance, efficiency, and environmental benefits. This partnership with Wiltshire Council and Hills Group allows us to demonstrate those advantages. It is an excellent opportunity to support the council’s plans for a cleaner, more sustainable waste collection fleet. We’re excited to show how electric trucks can meet the demands of diverse operating environments, from urban areas to rural routes.”

To further enhance the sustainability of the vehicle, the eRCV has been equipped with TRAILAR solar panels on the roof to support the power needs of the cab.

Adam Buckley-Mayes, Principal Engineer at TRAILAR, commented, “We’re thrilled to work with Wiltshire Council to support their mission to become carbon neutral by 2030. We are dedicated to delivering sustainable transport solutions. The benefits of adding solar to the eRCV include extended vehicle range, reduced charging time, proactive battery maintenance, and the ability to power all onboard electrical equipment, thereby reducing the load on the vehicle’s battery. We look forward to assessing the benefits of solar energy for Wiltshire once the vehicle is in operation.”

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