Westminster showcases upcycled electric refuse collection vehicle at SMMT Electrified 2021

Westminster City Council and Veolia have showcased one of their upcycled electric refuse collection vehicles at the high profile SMMT Electrified 2021 parade and virtual conference in central London.

Hosted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) in central London on March 25, the parade demonstrated the latest vehicles and technology leading the drive to reduce emissions and create a carbon neutral transport system in the UK. The accompanying virtual conference brought together industry, government and key stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities in decarbonising transport, with SMMT releasing its blueprint to increase . Keynote speakers included Rt Hon Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport.

Westminster City Council and Veolia, the council’s recycling and waste partner, proudly entered one of their upcycled ERCVs - Electric Refuse Collection Vehicles - in the parade. These state-of-the-art vehicles, which previously ran on diesel, were upcycled and fitted with brand new electric engines in 2019 as part of the council’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions. The technology ensures an efficient and sustainable waste collection service with no impact on air quality for residents.

Westminster City Council has declared a climate emergency and pledges to become a carbon neutral council by 2030 as well as a carbon neutral city by 2040.

Raj Mistry, Executive Director of Environment and City Management at Westminster City Council, said:

I am proud that Westminster City Council has participated in this event and grateful to SMMT for allowing us to showcase our zero-carbon technology in this way.

By working with Veolia and other partners, Westminster is reducing its carbon emissions, embracing sustainable new options for transport, and ensuring the next generation inherits a greener and cleaner city.

Julie Angulo, General Manager, Veolia Westminster, said:

It’s an honour to participate in the SMMT event with one of our innovative upcycled eRCVs. We’ve been trialling two of these vehicles in Westminster for over a year and a half, as another step forward towards electrifying the fleet.

Working in partnership with Westminster City Council, this project highlights once more our joint ongoing commitments, to create a greener and more sustainable city and to support the improvement of air quality by lowering emissions and avoiding pollution.