Ubico is a wholly local authority owned company which provides a range of environmental services to its shareholders including waste and recycling collections, grounds maintenance, street cleansing, and recycling centre management. Its shareholders include all councils in Gloucestershire as well as West Oxfordshire District Council.

Ubico adopts a Teckal model of ownership allowing its shareholders to maintain control similar to an in-house service. Working collaboratively with its local authority shareholders allows Ubico to deliver dynamic services that meet specific council objectives. All plant and vehicles are procured and owned by shareholders, allowing flexibility in the company’s approach to fleet procurement and investment in new technology to meet individual shareholder priorities.

Ubico has worked with local authority partners to investigate sustainable, environmentally friendly fuel solutions, as well as adding technology to the fleet which supports improved carbon performance and enables ongoing monitoring, helping shareholders to meet their own carbon reduction targets.

Electric fleet

Working in partnership with its shareholders, Ubico has introduced electric or hybrid alternatives on smaller fleet, including truck mounted and compact sweepers and several electric or hybrid vans and pool cars. The electric compact sweeper on the West Oxfordshire District Council service has no polluting exhaust emissions saving 55kg of CO2 during a 6-hour cycle, reducing fuel and maintenance costs. The truck mounted sweeper, used on the Stroud District Council service, is expected to save in excess of 8000kg of carbon per year.

But Ubico and its shareholders are not standing still and there are plans for more electric or hybrid vehicles, with 12 expected for delivery this year.

Certified HVO as an alternative to diesel

For vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, such as refuse collection vehicles, alternative strategies are also being evaluated. On the Cheltenham Borough Council fleet, Ubico will shortly be implementing the use of certified hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) on most of its refuse and recycling collection vehicles. HVO is better for the environment, meeting European emissions targets and emitting up to 90% less carbon, 23% less nitrogen oxide and around 85% less particulate matter compared with diesel. The whole process, from well to wheel, is more environmentally friendly with emissions related to fuel production, processing, distribution and use being much lower. A bulk HVO tank will be installed on site to guarantee swift refuelling, ensuring the minimum amount of journeys are undertaken.

Eco friendly driving

To reduce its carbon footprint, Ubico encourage their drivers to drive vehicles in an eco-friendly way. In 2020, Ubico instigated a pilot scheme on its Cotswold District Council service installing connected fleet management software, ‘Ubiconnect’ (delivered by CMS Supatrak) on 36 vehicles across the fleet.

The ‘safe driving assistant’ provides cab feedback and coaching to drivers whilst they are on the road. This is supported by the Driver Liaison Manager who closely analyses data provided by the software and uses this to help improve driver performance. As well as providing fuel and carbon savings, the implementation of the software has delivered other benefits including safer driving and less driver stress.

During the pilot scheme, and since it has been fully implemented on the service, the software has helped Ubico reduce costs, stay compliant, increase operational efficiency, and deliver savings in carbon and improved air quality in the areas where Ubico operates. Since the beginning of 2021, the technology has delivered CO2 savings of 50.04 tonnes, saved 18,841 litres of fuel, and delivered cost savings to Cotswold District Council. Having demonstrated its value through this pilot, the technology was incorporated into new vehicle purchases across the fleet and in June 2022, it was also implemented on 15 of the Cheltenham Borough Council service vehicles saving 3.275 tonnes of CO2 in the first month.

Ubico continues to work closely with its shareholders to identify solutions to support them on their eco journeys. Using its expertise and dynamic relationships with its shareholders, Ubico can use learning experiences to make informed decisions on future projects and initiatives, reaping the benefits for all.

Head of fleet operations at Ubico, Ian Bourton, said: ‘This is an exciting time for Ubico as we continue to support all our shareholder councils in their drive to achieve net zero carbon. Reducing the CO2 in the atmosphere and improving the local air quality is a win -win for both our shareholders and their residents.’

This article first appeared in the autumn issue of LAPV. To subscribe for free click here.