Westminster City Council has placed an order for 40 zero-emissions, 27-tonne 6x2 rear-steer eCollect vehicles, marking the largest single order of electric refuse collection vehicles (eRCVs) in the UK to date. These vehicles will be operated by Veolia in partnership with the council.
The decision to place the order for the Dennis Eagle eCollects follows extensive trials conducted in 2022 in Westminster. The eCollect was the first all-electric fully integrated refuse collection vehicle when it was launched in late 2020. Since then, over 100 eCollects are now operating across the UK and Ireland.
Dennis Eagle’s Sales and Marketing Director, Richard Taylor, said: “We know how focused Westminster is on sustainability. With that in mind, these eCollects are designed and built in the UK and we are working closely with our suppliers and constantly reassessing our own business to ensure sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.”
The eCollects come equipped with a 200 kWh battery pack, providing up to 150 km of driving range on a single charge, and can be recharged in just a few hours. The eRCVs are equipped with regenerative braking, which helps to conserve energy and reduce wear and tear on the vehicle’s brake system.
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Cabinet Member for City Management, said: “Air quality has consistently been one of the main concerns among our residents and the council is taking action to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality across the city. This new collection of zero-emissions collection vehicles, the largest single order in the UK, will help us achieve our goal of a Net Zero Westminster by 2040.”
Westminster City Council has set a target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. The new eCollects will play a vital role in achieving this goal by helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality across the city. The council’s investment in zero-emission technology is a testament to their commitment to building a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future.
