WASTE bosses in Oxford are set to begin further trials of eco-friendly rubbish trucks following the success of a pilot scheme which saw bins collected by an electric lorry in the city for the first time.

Last month the council’s City Works took delivery of a battery powered Nissan Cabstar for city centre refuse collections.

The move is part of the council’s aim of slashing its carbon emissions.

The electric bin lorry, which cost £45,000, was given the thumbs-up by its first test driver who nicknamed the truck ‘Myrtle the Turtle’.

The vehicle – produced by Bampton business CBL vehicles – has been championed by driver Raven Hawk, who used it on daily eight-hour refuse collections in the city centre.

Mr Hawk, 45, who has worked as a driver of 24 years, said: “It’s brilliant.

“It’s exactly the same as a normal Nissan but is battery powered.

“It’s quiet and smooth and it handles as well as a diesel.

“I have to be a bit more careful when I’m driving because it’s silent and people can’t hear it, but it grabs a lot of attention – the tourists love it.

“It’s so different from the old electric vehicle that used to plod along. It’s a great little motor and environmentally-friendly.”

The new vehicle was on loan from CBL as part of a month-long trial to prove the prowess of the 3.5 tonne truck ahead of potential sales to councils across the country.

To adapt to its new environment, the truck, which has a range of 60 miles and takes eight hours to charge, has had its top speed fixed to Oxford’s new 20mph speed limit.

The council experimented with the truck as part of its pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 25 per cent by April 2011.

Despite the success of the scheme, the council plans to test other green and hybrid vehicles before making a decision on replacing its 21 bin lorries and five kerbside collection vehicles.

Spokesman Louisa Dean said: “The vehicle has carried out its intended purpose very successfully.

“It has proved to be reliable, and extremely capable for the role of emptying litter bins in the city centre.

“We will be trialling alternative vehicles in the near future, before we make any decision.”

cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk