What is the size and makeup of your fleet?
Westminster City Council faces a unique challenge in waste and cleansing services. The city is small, but it receives over a million visitors daily and is home to some of the world's most famous attractions. This means that the council must keep the streets clean and collect waste from a large number of people. To meet this challenge, the council has a fleet of 150 small to medium vehicles to keep the streets clean and 90 large trucks, including 45 27-tonne electric trucks, to collect waste and recycling.
How many depots and workshops do you have?
Westminster City Council has 10 small depots within the city to support street cleansing operations and two large depots outside the council area to house 90 waste and recycling trucks.
What are the main services you deliver to the public?
I am a member of a small team that keeps the city clean and litter-free, and we collect around 190,000 tonnes of waste and recycling every year. I am also responsible for fleet management, which includes leading on fleet innovations, procurement, and testing new technologies.
What trends and developments have you seen over the last couple of years?
The electric vehicle (EV) market has expanded significantly over the past two years. In the past, EVs were primarily limited to small, domestic cars and vans. However, in recent years, there has been a growing demand for larger and more specialized EVs, such as buses, trucks, and even construction equipment. This transformation is still in its early stages, but it is incredible to see mainstream suppliers investing heavily in this space and introducing new models to meet the growing demand.
What are your main drivers as a fleet manager?
I am passionate about the environment, so I am naturally driven to make a positive difference. The council's aspiration to be carbon neutral by 2030 and the city by 2040, 10 years ahead of the national target, has given me the motivation to lead and deliver some truly amazing fleet decarbonisation projects.
What role does sustainability play in your operation?
Sustainability is a top priority for our operations. The waste management sector has the potential to make a significant difference to the environment and global warming. Switching from fossil fuels to fully electric vehicles and reducing emissions in quiet residential streets is a major step in addressing air quality concerns. With funding from Innovate UK, Westminster City Council has tested hydrogen-powered trucks in the city and successfully converted two end-of-life diesel trucks to fully electric vehicles.
How do you see municipal fleet management changing over the next 10 years?
The municipal fleet has evolved significantly in the past five years, and if this trend continues, we can expect to see a wide range of electric large specialist and long-distance transport vehicles in the next 10 years. With billions of pounds being invested in the battery industry, I am optimistic about the future of electric and hydrogen-powered municipal fleets. In 25-30 years, I believe people will be building museums to house fossil fuel-powered municipal vehicles.
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