A 26-TONNE electric refuse wagon has been operating on the streets of the borough this week in a trial as part of the council's ambitious plan to become carbon neutral by 2030.
The vehicle is fully electric, generating zero emissions and has a reported range of around 100 miles from a full charge but this may reduce as the vehicle tackles our picturesque but rural terrain.
Electric refuse trucks are used successfully in more urban districts across the UK and it's hoped the trial will establish if they could be viable in rural areas, such as East Cleveland.
The wagon has been offered for trial by NRG Riverside which has previously supplied Stockton Borough Council with electric refuse trucks. Redcar & Cleveland already has a number of smaller electric vehicles in its fleet, with plans to add more, but this will be the first trial of a vehicle this size.
The trial has been arranged and assessed by our Fleet Vehicle Team who works closely with the Climate Change Team to support the council's ongoing Climate Change Strategy from a vehicle perspective. The routes selected for the trial include Loftus, Skelton and Guisborough as well as areas in the west of the borough and on the coastline.
Cllr Louise Westbury, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: “We are looking forward to trialling the electric refuse wagon which, providing that the probation is a success, would be a significant step forward towards our goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.
Having an electric vehicle for waste collection, as opposed to one fuelled by diesel, drastically reduces emissions. If we know this works in our borough, we can look at how we introduce vehicles of this type more widely."
Cllr Julie Craig, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood, Highways and Transport added: “The trial of the Electric Refuse Wagon will give us valuable insight into the performance of such a vehicle especially in the far rural areas of our borough. This will allow us to conclude whether this solution is fit for our services.
“We are keen to explore arising technologies which may allow us to improve our services to the residents and work towards our environmental goals."