Electric rubbish truck begins trial in rural areas

A new electric bin lorry trial hopes to benefit the environment and the council coffers.

The vehicle is 50% more expensive than the equivalent diesel model but Wiltshire Council hopes to prove it will be cost effective in the long-term.

The Volvo FE Low Entry Cab RCV bin lorry is the first in the country and will soon be collecting rubbish in Calne and Chippenham.

Cabinet member for waste and environment councillor Dominic Muns said the council was "on track" to meet its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Councillor Muns said Wiltshire Council faces "complexity" because rounds vary from 25 miles (40km) to 125 miles (201km).

The trial will help the council determine how electric vehicles will work across the large rural county.

Mr Muns said the vehicle is "well built" and with no fuel costs he hopes that the trial will show that economically this model is "better for the Wiltshire taxpayer long-term".

This trial is the latest move by Wiltshire Council to work towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

"We're on track," said Mr Muns, "this (trial) is one piece of the puzzle and we're making really good progress."

Mike Gill, Volvo Truck & Bus Wales & West, said the unveiling of the new vehicle was a big step for the company because it was the first of its kind in the country.

He said Wiltshire Council had taken the "right approach" by trialling the vehicle because a large rural county has "so many variables".

"Topography, weather and driving style" all impact on battery range he said.

The council has installed electric charging points into their waste collection depots and will trial overnight charging which Mr Gill said should take "up to eight hours for a full charge".