Herefordshire Council adopt eCollect all-electric Collection Vehicles (RCVs)

[Hereford Voice]

Green is the way to go for Herefordshire’s latest recycling vehicles

As part of a drive to make recycling and waste collections across Herefordshire ever cleaner and greener, two brand new, state of the art eCollect all-electric Collection Vehicles (RCVs) will take to the roads this month.

The vehicles, which will be the first ever all-electric RCV’s to join the fleet in Herefordshire, adding to the ever-growing number of eCollects in service across the UK - currently in excess of 100.

Purchased as part of the new recycling and waste collection services contract between Herefordshire Council and its partner FCC Environment, the two new eCollect vehicles join the 26 new RCV’s which will serve residents and businesses alike across the County.

These range in size from 7.5-tonne to 26-tonne RCV’s; including 15 26-tonne vehicles, seven 18-tonne vehicles and four vehicles ranging in size from 7.5-tonnes to 12-tonnes. All of these vehicles have been chosen to deliver the best solution for the residents of Herefordshire over the next eight years of their service.

The two new eCollects have been manufactured by Dennis Eagle in Warwick.

The vehicles will be servicing residents and businesses in Hereford close to the depot on Ross Road as this area is ideally suited to the mileage range of the vehicles. Powered by renewable electricity, the eRCV’s will be charged up at the council depot from renewable sources.

Cllr Swinglehurst, Cabinet Member Environment, said: “These cutting edge vehicles are an exciting part of our new waste service. The benefits they will bring to residents and those who visit the city include a reduction in air pollution including particulates and nitrogen oxide gases, and a reduction in noise pollution.

“The Authority declared a climate and ecological emergency in March 2019 and is committed to achieving net zero by 2030, the introduction of the eCollects is a positive climate change action and a corner stone of this commitment.”

Steve Longdon, FCC Environment Chief Executive Officer said: “FCC Environment is one of the UK’s leading recycling and resource management companies and we are committed to the fight against climate change. We are actively working with our partners in Herefordshire in its aim to be carbon neutral. As a result, we are delighted to be bringing two all-electric vehicles into the fleet and we are looking forward to continuing the journey to Net Zero across the county.”