Serco trials electric recycling and refuse vehicles in three Hampshire districts with electrification pioneers VEV and RVS

Serco is proud to announce an exciting new collaboration with VEV and Refuse Vehicle Solutions (RVS) to undertake an electric recycling and refuse collection vehicle pilot across Basingstoke and Deane Hart and Rushmoor councils starting this week. The pilot will provide the data required to enable Serco to investigate the feasibly for electrifying the recycling and refuse fleet across these and other recycling and refuse collection contracts moving forward.

RVC has refurbished and repowered two diesel refuse collection into as-new electric vehicles for the trial. This means that as well delivering emissions and noise benefits these vehicles can also boast carbon savings in comparison to manufacturing completely new electric vehicles.

The electric charging infrastructure has been supplied and installed by VEV, who are also providing a bespoke management platform, VEV-IQ,  which will track performance throughout the pilot.

George Roach Regional Director for Serco Environmental Services said: “We at Serco are proud to be partnering with VEV, RVS and Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor Councils for this pilot, which sees preloved diesel vehicles taken off the road and upcycled into low emission electric vehicles, supporting both our and the local authorities’ net carbon zero targets.”

 VEV CEO Mike Nakrani said: “Electrifying recycling and refuse collection gives local councils the opportunity to significantly reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution simultaneously, compared to a conventionally powered vehicle. We are pleased to work with RVS and Serco to deliver on the climate emergency targets of Basingstoke and Deane, and Hart and Rushmoor Councils. We’re confident in proving the operational and business case for fleet electrification to reduce the carbon footprint of local council fleets, while delivering a cleaner, quieter environment for local residents.”

Spencer Law, Founder & CEO of Refuse Vehicle Solutions Ltd. said, “RVS is pleased to be working in collaboration with VEV to address the significant costs of fleet electrification faced by the waste industry. Since our launch of the e-One Electric Conversion in 2020, we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from across the industry, affirming its pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable waste management. Our pilot scheme is an excellent, risk-free opportunity to explore eRCV adoption with ongoing support, and ultimately to advance on essential net-zero objectives”.