City's BIG electric vehicle commitment
Council bosses in Sunderland are making a BIG commitment to cut carbon emissions.
A 27-tonne electric dustbin wagon is starting its rounds on a two-year trial aimed at keeping the air cleaner in the city and be more cost-effective and efficient.
The Dennis Eagle eCollect has joined Sunderland City Council's growing EV fleet and is understood to be the first of its kind in the region.
The vehicle will be collecting about 20 tonnes of waste daily and is expected to clock up 10,000 miles every year.
The vehicle has cost £423,000 - including a contribution of £120,000 from the European Regional Development Fund – and the trial will be comparing it against that a conventional diesel machine.
It is anticipated that lower running costs in relation to fuel and maintenance can be offset against the initial purchase cost.
The council's executive director of neighbourhoods, Fiona Brown said: "We are all very aware of the impact that climate change is having and the council is committed to driving down its carbon emissions and Sunderland becoming a carbon neutral city.
"The purchase of this vehicle is a very visible demonstration of this council's commitment to carbon reduction while serving residents. We are aware of the benefits EVs bring and can now look more closely how this vehicle performs.”
The council has a fleet of 550 vehicles and says it is continuing to explore viable alternatives to the internal combustion engines to ensure that, by 2030 when no new diesel vehicles will be being built.