The pilot project involving the Electra Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCVs) is central to the local authority’s aims of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

To maximise the effects of the trial, the vehicles will be used to deliver key council services, including garden waste and commercial food waste collection services.

Following its recent ‘outstanding’ BREEAM assessment, the refuse vehicles are being stationed in Layard House, the council’s newly constructed carbon neutral depot.

Cllr Phil Smart, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, said: ‘During the trial our crews will be testing their performance to help us understand the role that electric vehicles can play in delivering household refuse collections.

‘What we learn during this period will help future decisions about how we power our refuse collection vehicles and will support the drive to both modernise our fleet and to be carbon neutral by 2030.’

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