Electric waste truck trial begins

The trial will guide decisions for its use with the heavier general kerbside waste stream to determine if further electrification of the City’s waste truck fleet is viable.

The truck was due to arrive last April, but delivery of some of the components was delayed due to global lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Waste Manager Lyall Davieson said the City would adopt an initial replacement timeframe for the truck of eight years.

“The $630,000 Melbourne-built truck has a higher purchase price than ordinary diesel trucks but will hopefully deliver considerable sustainability and whole of life financial savings,” Mr Davieson said.

“It won’t require oil or diesel fuel, or engine servicing, instead charging overnight via a 32amp charger at a dedicated area at the City’s Bibra Lake Operations Centre.

“Manufacturer Superior Pak advise the truck can travel 200+kms before requiring recharge via the City’s charging point for up to seven hours.”

City of Cockburn Facilities and Plant Manager Ben Roser said the City was looking forward to trialing the truck.

“Apart from the truck’s quieter operation, we forecast little to no difference in its overall performance or tyre usage but a far superior performance from a sustainability perspective,” Mr Roser said.

”We forecast significant savings in fuel and major service costs over the life of the truck.”

The electric waste truck trial is included in the City’s Climate Change Strategy 2020-2030.

Caption, l-r: City of Cockburn staff with the new electric truck which began its rounds this week: Keri O'Keefe (Waste Education Technical Officer), Mickey Danilov (Waste Collection Coordinator), Clare Courtauld (Waste Education Coordinator), Lyall Davieson (Waste Manager) and waste truck driver Gavin.