The first electric food waste collection vehicle has been delivered to two district councils in South Oxfordshire, as part of their ambition to decarbonise their fleet of waste vehicles and meet net zero targets.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils hope to save more than 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year with the addition of the new electric vehicle.

The vehicle, a Terberg EV ORUS, was delivered to the councils at the Culham depot of their waste contractor, Biffa, earlier this autumn.

It is being used throughout both district council areas as part of the fleet of 12 food waste collection trucks.

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The diesel food waste trucks each cover approximately, 26,000 miles per year, which with an average load would produce 30.9 tonnes of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent).

Mark Coleman, cabinet member for environmental services and waste at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “It is a great day for us to take delivery of the first EV in our fleet of waste vehicles.

“Our aim is that when the time comes to replace each of our food waste trucks, then EVs will be the first choice in terms of what they deliver for the public.

“It is our proud ambition to provide a reliable and robust waste collection service for our residents and cut council carbon emissions at the same time.”

Sam James-Lawrie, cabinet member for the environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We are delighted to reduce greenhouse gases both for our councils and for the districts, with the purchase of this new EV, following a very successful trial in the districts of a similar vehicle a year ago.

“When considered over its whole life cycle, taking into account the lower cost of electricity compared with diesel and the reduction in mileage in not having to empty as often, it is anticipated that the vehicle could provide savings on costs as well as carbon emissions.”

The new EV vehicle has a compressor function, which means that despite being the same overall size as the other food waste trucks, it can take more food waste before it fills up.

This means fewer trips to the food waste reprocessing facility in Wallingford to empty the truck before it can continue its collection round.

It also has a lift, so that bins can be mechanically lifted and emptied into the waste compartment, while the current food trucks are loaded by hand.

The vehicle is also quieter than diesel and petrol vehicles.

Food waste collected by the waste service is taken to an anaerobic Digestion Facility’ in Wallingford where it is broken down and converted into biogas, providing enough energy to heat 4,800 homes.