A refuse collection vehicle at the end of its normal working life has been repowered with an electric motor and is due to shortly begin ‘real world’ trials in Greenwich. It is hoped ‘repowering’ will extend the working life of high value commercial and local authority vehicles, and cut air and noise pollution in residential areas.
The Greenwich trials will test the viability of the technology and make the economic case for repowering heavy commercial vehicles. The prototype will be tested alongside the existing refuse fleet, managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
Refuse lorries operate in largely residential areas, with their diesel engines in constant use 14 hours per day, achieving only 2.5 – 4.5miles per gallon, having emissions that include nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (THC and NMHC) and particulate matter (PM), which is essentially soot. By replacing the diesel engine with an electric motor, the eRCV produces zero emissions in operation. It also greatly reduces noise pollution – a significant issue for urban residents.
It is estimated the repowering modification will double the vehicle’s operational life, extending it to 14 years, and generate a lifetime cost saving of up to £300,000 compared to a Euro 5 or older diesel powered model.
The trial marks the culmination of a year long technical development by a consortium comprised of Magtec, a UK technology firm specialising in the electrification of vehicles, the Royal Borough of Greenwich and its urban innovation agency, DG Cities. The project was part funded by Innovate UK, the Government’s research and development lead.
The eRCV is a 26-tonne battery-powered, zero-emission refuse vehicle designed to do a 14 hour ‘double shift’ duty-cycle without needing to recharge.
The eRCV project anticipates both growing demand for refuse vehicles and new air quality legislation that will affect 60,000 vehicles in London.
From April 8 2019, Central London will become an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Vehicles entering the area will need to meet tighter emission standards of 80 mg/km or pay a daily charge of £12.50 for cars and £100 for most vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. In addition, from October 26 2020, vehicles over 3.5 tonnes will need to meet the ULEZ standard across Greater London. Vehicles operated by local authorities will not be exempt.
Due to regeneration and increased recycling by residents and businesses, local authorities are also experiencing growing demand on refuse services, with the Society for Motor Manufacturers citing a national increase in registrations of new Refuse Collection Vehicles of 20% from 2016 – 2017.
The UK Department for Energy and Climate Change predicts average fuel prices to increase by more than 22% from 2012-2030, prompting a case study of one company which estimated it could produce savings of up to 100,000 litres of fuel a day if they were to repower their fleet of 800 vehicles. These fuel savings would result in significant financial savings for waste management authorities.