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To proceed with the collaborative project with
Magtec, utilizing Advanced Propulsion
Centre (APC) grant funding to repower a Council-owned Refuse
Collection Vehicle (RCV) with an electric driveline. This decision
approves the release of a donor vehicle for conversion, with the
unit scheduled to re-enter service by October. 
 
While the capital cost of the electric
driveline is fully grant-funded, the Council are required to commit
to a £13,000 per annum Repair and Maintenance (R&M)
contract to support the electric system once in service.  This
will be entered into for the next five years assuming the vehicle
remains in active service during this time.
 

Reasons for the decision

This decision supports the Council’s
commitment to achieving Net Zero by accelerating the
decarbonization of its heavy goods fleet. Utilizing the Advanced
Propulsion Centre (APC) grant allows the Council to trial electric
RCV technology with minimal capital exposure, avoiding the
significant cost of purchasing a new electric vehicle (typically
exceeding £400,000). Furthermore, by repowering an existing
chassis and refurbishing the body, the Council adopts a circular
economy approach that extends the useful life of a Council asset,
reduces embodied carbon, and secures essential operational data to
inform future fleet procurement strategies.

Alternative options considered

The option to purchase a brand-new electric
RCV was considered but rejected due to the prohibitive capital cost
(typically over £400,000) compared to this grant-funded
repower opportunity. Additionally, the 'do nothing' approach of
continuing to operate the current diesel driveline was discounted,
as it fails to contribute towards the Council’s Net Zero
targets or capture the external investment offered by the APC.