In a statement last week, the council confirmed that the wagon was introduced into its fleet following a 12-month trial period for various electric vehicles to determine which would be the most appropriate addition.

The wagon will join the 21 existing electric vehicles in the council’s fleet, assisting the local authority in achieving its goals of decreasing emissions and reaching the city’s 2038 carbon neutrality deadline.

According to the council, the transition to electric vehicles is a long-term project that will help reduce maintenance requirements and higher running costs associated with diesel and petrol vehicles.

The council has also inscribed a ‘Lest We Forget’ message on each side of the vehicle, allowing it to pay tribute to the city’s armed forces through the ‘year-round acknowledgment to those who have lost their lives in war’.

Cllr Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety, said: ‘It’s fantastic to see the first electric bin wagon joining our green fleet on the streets of Salford, as the next step in our decarbonisation journey.

‘We plan to reduce our carbon footprint whilst maintaining the high levels of service our residents expect.’

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