City of Casey will be the first municipality in the state to put new electric powered hard waste collection trucks into service.
WM Waste Management Services (WM) showcased their first electric truck for residential hard rubbish waste collections on Wednesday 3 October, which will officially start in Casey streets this month.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio attended the launch of the product at the Waste Expo Australia, as part of Sustainability Week.
WM managing director Mark Jeffs said the new trucks were further evidence of the company’s continued shift towards innovation and support for renewable energy.
“I am very pleased to bring electric trucks to the streets of Melbourne and I congratulate the City of Casey on this significant commitment. Collecting rubbish this way will help to make the environment more sustainable for future generations with this unique electric vehicle technology,” he said.
“These vehicles are better for the rate payer, quieter than diesel or petrol vehicles, lower maintenance than normal trucks and last longer.”
WM is looking at rolling out more electric trucks in their fleet in other municipalities around Melbourne after this month.
The trucks have been designed by Superior Pak, Australia’s leading manufacturer of waste collection equipment, in collaboration with Australian automotive technology company, SEA Electric.
This move towards electric vehicles is part of WM’s shift towards further sustainability commitments and limiting their carbon footprint through reduced emissions.
The company was also the first hard waste business to use hybrid (diesel/electric) trucks in 2008.
