Two zero-emission RQ-E Romaquips have begun carrying out household collections in the district.

The Gloucestershire council believes it is among the first rural authorities in England to embrace the heavy-fleet technology for kerbside sort recycling.

The council’s portfolio holder for waste and recycling, Andy Moore, said the new electric vehicles were a ‘major milestone’ for both the district and the county.

Their arrival follows the council’s approval of a new route map to decarbonise its fleet as it aims to reach net zero by 2030.

Transport currently accounts for 89% of the council’s carbon emissions, and the authority said much of this could be attributed to its waste, recycling, and street cleansing services.

Portfolio holder for climate change, Chris McFarling, said: ‘These new vehicles mark the start of our plans to move more of our fleet over to zero and low-emission alternatives.

‘Their arrival will not only have a positive impact here in the district, helping us to cut emissions and improve air quality, but we hope they will act as a catalyst for other rural authorities that are looking to make the leap to large electric vehicles for their household collections.’

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