Any genuine alternative to diesel power must be readily available via an easily established infrastructure. The supply of electricity throughout the UK is already well established. And while much has been made of the lack of charging points for electric cars, eRCVs generally run regular routes in a local area so charging points can be fitted in the depots - leaving the vehicles to charge overnight ready for the next day.
No air pollution
As the eCollect is powered by electricity from battery packs, it avoids producing the particulates and nitrogen oxide gases associated with some other fuels that can damage our health. This makes the vehicle perfectly suitable for use in low and zero emission zones and ideal to operate in areas where air pollution is already dangerously high or especially unwelcome.
Electricity is a cheaper energy source
Not only are electric vehicles more efficient than conventional vehicles but electricity is also cheaper than diesel – and other fuels, such as hydrogen. In addition, electricity prices are generally much more stable than oil prices and so not only save money but also provide more certainty of operational costs. Typically, it costs less than half as much to travel the same distance in an electric vehicle than a conventional one.
Operational costs
eRCVs have no diesel engine and no exhaust system so 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 play a significant part in operational costs of conventional RCVs.
Quieter operation
Noise pollution is a challenge for all vehicles, including RCVs. So much so that it can impact operational efficiency by restricting collection times from sensitive locations, such as schools and care homes. But the all-electric eCollect is much quieter. There is no revving of engines to operate the compaction system and driving it produces just a hum. So while the trend towards quieter RCVs is only going in one direction, the eCollect will take some beating.
Zero carbon emissions
The eCollect is only powered by electricity and so produces no gases that contribute to climate change as it operates. In addition, the electricity used to recharge it overnight can be generated from totally sustainable sources. In fact, half the electricity supplied by the National Grid today* is from zero carbon sources and it plans to be a ‘Net Zero’ carbon emitter by 2025.
* February 2020.
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