How many of your Dennis Eagle eCollect waste collection vehicles are now operating in the UK?
Dennis Eagle has close to 200 operating in the UK, and fleet operators are coming back for more EVs. In addition to Nottingham placing further orders, Cardiff Council was another early adopter to place an order, with its first entering service in April 2021. Less than three months later, it had ordered five more.
Firsthand experiences from users, including prominent entities such as Westminster Council, where eventually 40+ eCollects will operate and be powered by the waste they collect, shed light on the tangible benefits of electrification.
Despite the setbacks faced by some repower and conversion projects, projects such as eCollect exemplify that electrification has a firm place in heavy goods vehicles and beyond.
How important is it that the waste collection sector shifts towards electric trucks?
With such trucks having to operate where people live and work, mitigating local emissions is important. Electric trucks produce zero tailpipe emissions. By eliminating exhaust emissions and reducing noise pollution, electrification enhances the quality of life for residents and workers alike.
Given that many collections start early, the noise benefits of electric trucks hold great appeal, too, notably in populated urban areas where housing might be closer to the road than in more rural areas.
The operating environment of such trucks makes electrification a viable and appealing source of power. Typically, heavy goods vehicles operate for up to eight hours a day, collecting up to 1000 bins before returning to the depot.
By offering a compelling solution to transform refuse truck operations, delivering environmental, economic, and social benefits for communities in the UK and beyond, by reducing emissions, enhancing energy efficiency and supporting decarbonisation strategies, electric refuse trucks arguably represent a significant step towards achieving a sustainable and resilient waste management infrastructure. Electrification emerges as a cornerstone of the transition towards a greener future.
What are the benefits to local authorities in adopting the Dennis Eagle eCollect?
Trucks such as the eCollect, which uses a proven 300kWh Li-NCM battery, have been shown to work for up to eight hours and then travel back to the depot to charge, with plenty of capacity to cater for any unforeseen circumstances.
In some applications, double shifts have been completed without recharging. Refuse trucks, with their frequent stops and starts, can harness regenerative braking technology to recover energy during deceleration, thereby extending battery life and reducing energy consumption.
Moreover, commercial EVs have fewer moving parts, resulting in lower maintenance costs and simplified increased reliability, further enhancing operational efficiency. Some operators have found the instant torque not only offers a smoother driving experience but helps drivers complete their rounds up to 45 minutes quicker.
With an increased focus on sustainable practices to mitigate the effects of climate change, local authorities are pushing to reach net zero targets. Although there are currently no net zero statutory targets for local authorities, many have signed up to a commitment to reduce carbon emissions. For many authorities, a significant element of carbon emissions comes from their vehicle fleets, including their refuse vehicles
Does it make financial sense to invest in electric trucks?
While the initial investment in electric refuse trucks is higher than diesel equivalents, typically, it costs less than half as much to travel the same distance in an electric vehicle than a conventional one.
Electric refuse trucks do not have a diesel engine or exhaust system, so they do not need the elements that make these systems run smoothly, such as AdBlue, DPF filters, and regular engine oil changes. They also don’t have as many moving parts as conventional vehicles, which are often prone to wear and tear and can significantly increase conventional RCVs’ operational costs.
Lee Rowland, Sales & Marketing Manager, Dennis Eagle
