Advanced telematics to help cut fuel bills on its refuse vehicles and electric vehicles are among agreed steps South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) will be taking to reduce costs and emissions.
In conjunction with Cherwell District Council, SNC will also investigate the expansion and improvement of existing electric charging points at council depots as a first step towards changing council vans and cars to electric power.
Cllr Dermot Bambridge, SNC’s portfolio holder for environmental services, said: “Many new car owners are familiar with telematics, which show how efficiently they are driving. We are now planning to fit extra electronics to our waste and recycling lorries to help optimise fuel usage on those vehicles.
“Many new car owners are familiar with telematics, which show how efficiently they are driving. We are now planning to fit extra electronics to our waste and recycling lorries to help optimise fuel usage on those vehicles.”
“Our drivers are experts and the new technology will help them to get even better economy from the vehicles they drive. We’ve tested a system over a month and it delivered eight per cent fuel savings. Across our fleet of 15 refuse collection vehicles that could mean a saving of up to £20,000 a year.
“The government also wants us to move towards electric vehicles, and manufacturers are going in that direction, so we must attempt to follow that lead as the local authority.
“Our partners at Cherwell have been using an electric vehicle for ten years, but the range doesn’t quite fulfil our requirements. As far as large vehicles are concerned there is currently no viable alternative to diesel but, for light vans and cars, the performance of the latest vehicles now makes them a viable choice for the future.
“Looking ahead, the charging points for our fleet could be extended for public use. Combined with solar panels, like the ones at our Tove Depot in Towcester, we hope eventually to have a light vehicle fleet with zero emissions.”
During its meeting on Monday, 13 November SNC’s cabinet approved a report updating members on the council’s vehicle replacement strategy.
SNC has already installed two fast charging points for public use at the Short Stay Car Park on Northampton Road, Towcester.