Council bosses say the move will help meet Welsh Government recycling targets
Council staff with one of Neath Port Talbot’s new electric waste vehicles (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council)
Neath Port Talbot Council has recieved the first of its new waste recycling vehicles in a move they say will make them the only local authority in the UK to transition to a fully electric recycling fleet.
The multi-million-pound scheme will eventually see the replacement of the county’s current diesel vehicles with a new fleet of 21 vehicles that are partly powered by on-site solar panels and have larger capacity to hold more recycling waste.
Council bosses say the move will help improve air quality in the area as well as helping them meet the Welsh Government’s 70% minimum recycling target. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter.
It is expected to cost the Welsh authority a total of £7.14m with Welsh Government providing a grant of £2.86m towards this sum.
A council spokesman said further Welsh Government funding had also been secured to install renewable energy infrastructure at council depots, which would help reduce the day-to-day running costs.
The first 10 electric vehicles are set to be delivered to Neath Port Talbot Council later this summer,with more arriving gradually throughout the year.
Cabinet member for streetscene, Cllr Scott Jones, said: “We’re very proud to be the first local authority in the UK to invest in a fully electric recycling fleet. We’ve been working proactively to make this milestone a reality.”
A council spokesman added: “The total cost of replacing the council’s recycling fleet is £7.14m.
“Welsh Government provided a grant of £2.86m towards this cost.
“This grant covered the difference in cost between an electric vehicle and a diesel-powered vehicle ensuring that the council didn’t incur additional costs transitioning its recycling fleet to meet net zero ambitions.
“The programme will replace an ageing fleet meaning this investment was required to maintain essential recycling services regardless of vehicle type.
“Further Welsh Government funding has also been secured to install renewable energy infrastructure at council depots, which will help reduce the day-to-day running costs of the vehicles over their lifetime.
“The new electric fleet also brings wider benefits, including improved air quality, increased capacity which will allow more recycling to be collected per journey, and greater operational efficiency.”
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