Anglesey Council is supporting the future development of electric recycling collection vehicles across the UK as it steps up its own efforts to become net zero by 2030.
The Island was recently chosen to host the first trial of a new electric recycling collection vehicle, by leading manufacturer, Terberg Matec UK.
The council’s waste management team conducted the trial during March in partnership with Terberg Matec UK, its waste management contractor, Biffa, and the Welsh government.
Initial findings from the trial showed a significant reduction of CO2 emissions (414kgs) as well as a saving of £146.34 on fuel over a six-day period.
During the trial, the electric vehicle also showed it could cope with the distances covered on collections rounds on the Island. It began each collection round fully charged, and there was still charge left at the end of the working day. Even on the day it travelled farthest (67 miles) there was still a 25% charge left on the vehicle.
The council’s head of highways, waste management and property Huw Percy commented: ‘This was a very significant trial, as Terberg Matec will use the data collected to inform future development of electric vehicles across the UK.
‘We look forward to seeing how the results can help us plan to replace our current diesel vehicles with electric alternatives over the coming years. Replacing our existing recycling collection fleet with electric vehicles would greatly help reduce CO2 emissions, costs and go a long way towards helping the council meet its decarbonisation targets.
‘Our corporate fleet already has a number of other electric vehicles, which offer many advantages in terms of a cleaner and quieter environment as well as reducing running costs.’
A Welsh government spokesperson said: ‘We are pleased to hear of the recent trial as electric vehicles like the one recently tested on Anglesey will play an integral role in delivering on the Welsh government’s commitment for public sector fleets to be net zero by 2030.
‘The future use and funding of these type of electric vehicles would also be a great illustration of our commitment to combatting climate change. Not only are they ultra-low emission, but in collecting kerbside recycling they would play a crucial role in collecting the material needed to decarbonise the wider economy and our communities.’
