Serco works with VEV and RVS to save 8,898kg of emissions during eight-week recycling and refuse vehicles pilot

Serco, the international provider of services to governments, working with VEV and RVS, is delighted to announce that an eight week pilot of electric recycling and waste collection vehicles in Hampshire, has successfully saved an impressive 8,898kg in emissions, the equivalent of removing two cars from the road for a year.

During the eight-week pilot, Serco, VEV, and RVS consolidated their expertise demonstrating the powerful capabilities of electric refuse collection vehicles (eRCVs) to reduce the substantial carbon footprint created by recycling and refuse collection. The carbon footprint was further reduced during the manufacturing process by using vehicles converted from diesel to electric.

The pilot ran across three local authorities and 69 collection rounds, completing refuse and recycling collections for thousands of Hampshire residents. As well as the emissions savings the eRCVs also significantly reduced noise pollution for residents and the crews alike, with one driver saying, “I like how quiet it is, I can hear the crew working behind me much easier, it feels much safer.”

Building on the extensive benefits for local communities and the environment, the pilot proved the case for operational efficiency using eRCVs for Serco and their local authority clients. The pilot also demonstrated that Total Cost of Ownership savings of between 4 and 14% compared to diesel RCVs, could be achieved in the short term when the impacts of energy price, vehicle efficiency, mechanical optimisations, fuel price changes and maintenance strategies, were modelled using VEV’s bespoke management platform, VEV-IQ.

George Roach, Performance and Compliance Director for Serco Environmental Services said:

“Establishing the business-case for electrifying Serco’s recycling and refuse collection fleet was key for us throughout this pilot scheme. We’re maximising the huge success of the project and continuing to run the electric RCVs on their routes in the Hampshire councils.

“The operational efficiency gains that VEV and RVS have helped us achieve, have made a real impact and played a critical role in proving the business-case for electrifying even more of our collection contracts across the UK, allowing us to deliver cleaner air and quieter streets for local communities.”

VEV CEO Mike Nakrani said:

“A critical objective for VEV, Serco and RVS in this project, was to prove that electric recycling and refuse collection can be a significant step in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, in a way that makes commercial sense for fleet operators and local councils.

“By saving nearly nine tonnes of emissions in just eight weeks and proving that eRCV costs can meet or even improve on their diesel counterparts, this real-life project has delivered a ringing endorsement for electrifying all kinds of commercial fleets. We thank each of our partners for their commitment and rigour in this project, and we look forward to helping Serco make a cost-effective switch across even more of its eRCV fleet moving forward.”

Spencer Law, Founder & CEO of Refuse Vehicle Solutions Ltd. said:

“Repowering refuse collection vehicles enables fleet operators like Serco to reap a swathe of environmental and efficiency benefits. The converted eRCVs we delivered consistently completed their routes with enough battery charge on return to the depot to cater for unplanned, extra rounds.

“The drivers adapted well to the vehicles after the initial coaching, and reported stronger vehicle performance than their diesel equivalents, with many preferring the comfort and quietness of the electric operation. We’re delighted with the performance of the eRCVs that this pioneering project has helped us put in the spotlight.”