The firm said the six-week pilot would help it test the 'feasibility' of electrifying its recycling and refuse fleets across these, and other, local authority collection contracts.

Refuse Vehicle Solutions upcycled two diesel refuse collection vehicles into EVs for the pilot, while VEV supplied and installed the charging infrastructure and is providing its management platform, VEV-IQ, to track performance.

Hart Council’s portfolio holder for climate change and corporate services, Richard Quarterman, said: ‘I am delighted we have been able to deliver this significant positive step for carbon reduction in one of our key services.

‘The trial of a low-emission electric bin truck offers an option to explore the viability of these vehicles in the future.’

Sign up here to receive our free weekly news bulletin and quarterly e-book.