After a lengthy evaluation process and extensive development, Enfield Council has taken another huge step towards its Road to Zero Emissions with the first of four fully electric refuse trucks supplied by Renault Trucks - a market leader in electric mobility. The 26-tonne waste management vehicles are based on a Renault Trucks E-tech D Wide Low Entry Cab which has been fitted with a CP Davidson Titan Refuse Body. The chassis is powered by four lithium-ion batteries and when in operation will cover on average 50 miles per day servicing households of the London Borough of Enfield.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Rick Jewell explained the decision to select the Renault Trucks E-Tech electric vehicles, saying: “Where possible, electric vehicles will be our first choice when it comes to fleet replacements. This will result in a fleet of clean and efficient vehicles. Moving to electric vehicles will ensure our carbon footprint is reduced and kept to a minimum. “Enfield Council has been working in partnership with Renault Trucks UK for more than a year on the development of the electric refuse truck. Prototypes went through extensive testing and road trials right here in Enfield. We were extremely happy with how the vehicles performed in our waste collection operations, demonstrating high performance and reliability, even along our longer routes, and very good battery life. This performance is critical for a large, busy, London borough.”
Councillor Ergin Erbil, Enfield Council’s Deputy Leader, added: “Our Climate Action Plan includes a switch of the Council’s vehicle fleet to electric with a target of 60 percent by 2026 and 100 percent by 2030. In addition, we have a programme of installing charging points at council offices and depots for our fleet, a lamppost EV charging installation programme is currently underway across selected areas of the borough, and a rollout of rapid chargers in town centres and at strategic locations in Enfield.”
Councillor Ergin Erbil continued: “Emissions from transport in Enfield account for an estimated 39 per cent of the borough’s total emissions. The electrification of our fleet, along with ongoing support for walking and cycling, will help to achieve our local climate action goals as well as the Mayor of London’s targets for active and sustainable travel in the capital.”
Managing Director of Renault Trucks UK & Ireland Carlos Rodrigues commented: “It has been a privilege to work alongside Enfield Council in the development of their first fully electric refuse vehicle. Renault Trucks is a pioneer of electric mobility and we are delighted to utilise our knowledge and experience to partner with Enfield Council on their fleet decarbonisation journey.”
To aid in operations for Enfield Council's parks management, and its fleet services, Renault is also supplying five Renault E-Tech 33kWh Master vans, four of which are fitted with caged tipping bodies and one of them has been converted into a service van for zero-emission fleet support. Charging infrastructure is already in place at the Civic Centre in Enfield Town and also at the Morson Road depot to support operations and Renault Trucks dealer Norfolk Truck and Van in Enfield will be tasked with the E-Tech repair and maintenance.