Nicknamed ‘Glitterball’, the refuse truck will be used during a four-week trial to see if an electric vehicle (EV) is a feasible option for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils in the future.

As part of their journey towards net zero, the councils requested the trial from their waste contractor, Biffa.

The waste team will now closely monitor its use to see how it copes with the longer distances travelling around the rural areas as well as in the more densely populated towns, which make up both districts.

Cllr Catherine Webber, Vale of White Horse District Council cabinet member for the environment and climate emergency, said: ‘The electric waste vehicle will be put through its paces over the next four weeks with a variety of routes to see if it could be a viable option. The information gained from this trial will inform any future plans that the councils make regarding waste collections.’

Cllr Sue Cooper, South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for environment, climate change and nature recovery, said: ‘Looking forward, residents need a collection service that is reliable and effective. It is also vital that we reduce our carbon emissions and this could be one way to achieve that.’