The UK’s first fully electric refuse truck will be trialled in the City of London next month as part of an initiative to drive down air pollution in the Square Mile.

The 26-tonne truck, named Electra, runs on lithium-ion batteries, rather than diesel. It is designed for urban environments with short routes and can complete a full 10-hour shift.

The trial will begin in February and will last for two months. The vehicle will also be trialled in two other UK cities later this year.

City Corporation refuse vehicles collect over 1,500 tonnes of household waste and more than 850 tonnes of recycling a year.

Jeremy Simons, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Environment Committee, said:

“This vehicle is the first of its kind. It’s fully electric, both for compression of the waste and for powering the vehicle, and crucially - no diesel emissions.

“Our ambition is to have a full fleet of clean refuse vehicles. We are taking responsibility for the cleanliness of our fleet and encouraging the use of low and zero emission vehicles with our partners.

“It complements the work we are doing to help City businesses cut back on vehicle deliveries and use more hybrid models.”

Russell Markstein, Commercial Director of NRG Fleet Services said:

“We are excited about the Electra, having worked with the City Corporation its development for the past six months.

“This truck can deliver zero emissions rubbish collection in the Square Mile and long term, it could be a big step forward.”

The trial is part of a wider fightback against air pollution in the Square Mile.

Its governing body, the City of London Corporation, works with businesses to improve air quality through its City Air Programme. This month it launched cargo bike delivery scheme to help City firms tackle toxic air by shifting deliveries from diesel vans to cargo bicycles.

It is pioneering a London-wide crackdown on drivers who leave their engines idling and its City Air app, which is used by 27,000 Londoners, gives users low pollution travel routes across the capital with advice and alerts when air pollution is high.

In 2016, the City Corporation agreed a deal with Addison Lee - London’s biggest private hire taxi firm - to automatically switch hybrid taxis to ‘electric mode’ in key areas of the Square Mile. It has banned the purchase of diesel vehicles from its own fleet of 300 vehicles, where there is a clean market alternative.

Ends

Notes to editors

1. About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

• We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, makes grants of around £20 million annually to tackle disadvantage across London.

• We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, the Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important commons in London.

• We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies, all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.

Media enquiries

Carl Locsin, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654 / M 0738 862 229

E carl.locsin@cityoflondon.gov.uk