The city’s first all-electric refuse truck is now officially in operation.
The first fully electric refuse collection vehicle (RCV) — a 27-tonne Mercedes-Benz eEconic — marks a significant step in Salford City Council’s push towards a cleaner, quieter and more sustainable waste collection.
Salford is one of the first UK councils to put a 27-tonne eEconic into full service. The investment joins the council’s ‘Greener Salford’ initiative, contributing to the city’s aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2038.
The eEconic was chosen following a 12-month trial of competing electric models. According to the council, it was the only vehicle able to complete every route on a single charge while returning to the depot with 40–60% battery capacity to spare.
Alan Fitzsimons, transport manager at Salford City Council, said the decision was clear: “The Mercedes-Benz eEconic is leaps and bounds above the rest. Competitors struggled to finish a route on one charge, but this truck returned with range to spare. It has surpassed all our expectations and we’re proud to lead the way in sustainable waste collection.”
At 27 tonnes when fully loaded, the eEconic collects more than 1,200 bins per day, operating almost identically to its diesel counterparts, but with lower emissions and lower maintenance costs.
Feedback from behind the wheel has been overwhelmingly positive. HGV driver and trainer, Anthony Kearns, said his early concerns about range disappeared almost immediately.
He said: “On my longest day – 60 miles and three loads totalling 30 tonnes – it still had 36% battery left after seven hours. Other drivers joke that it’s like the Rolls Royce of bin trucks.”
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