Trials have begun on a fully electric waste vehicle servicing Hobsons Bay.
Used by Council's contractor, Cleanaway, the vehicles are among the first in Australia to be servicing kerbside collections and have zero tailpipe emissions and generate electricity when braking, topping up their own batteries and reducing repair and maintenance costs.
Mayor of Hobsons Bay Councillor Jonathon Marsden said the trial of the electric waste vehicle is exciting for Hobsons Bay and will complement the great work already happening in the sustainable transport realm.
"Council is a proud leader in supporting low emissions vehicles," said Cr Marsden.
"We were part of a hydrogen fuel cell electric car trial with Toyota and now join this trial of an electric waste collection vehicle with Cleanaway.
"These initiatives support our key priorities in the Hobsons Bay 2030 Community Vision of exploring sustainable practices and growth through innovation, technology, job creation and education. It's also a step in the right direction of Council's draft Waste and Litter Management Strategy 2025 to trial alternative fuels in the waste, recycling and litter collection fleet."
The trial also complements one of the key actions in Council's Integrated Transport Plan – to investigate the feasibility of new and emerging transport modes and technologies within Hobsons Bay.
Cleanaway will be testing the electric waste vehicle for reliability, particularly when under pressure to carry full loads and complete scheduled runs each day. If successful, Cleanaway intends on introducing more electric vehicles to its fleet.
