Electric road sweepers for Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton has taken another step towards its carbon neutral goals with the introduction of four new electric cleaning vehicles. 

The battery electric road sweepers will replace the old diesel-powered vehicles as part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s fleet electrification programme.

The Cabinet member for city environment and climate change, Cllr Steve Evans, said: ‘Replacing our worn out diesel sweepers with zero emission BEVs is an important part of our climate change strategy and will see a reduction of around 96 tonnes of C02 each year. 

‘Not only will the new sweepers help the environment they are also cheaper to run than the older diesel vehicles helping us to make savings. They can operate at a slow speed in populated areas, are quieter for residents and more pleasant for workers to drive.’ 

City of Wolverhampton Council are working to become net carbon neutral by 2028 as it replaces around 450 vehicles with neutral alternatives. 

Previously the council’s nine meals on wheels vans have been replaced by electric vehicles alongside vans for the parking services, Wolverhampton Homes, waste services and coffee pod recycling teams.

Four electric charging points have also been installed whilst a number of electric and hybrid vehicles are being used by the children’s services, travel unit and parks team with two more due for the environmental services. 

Mr Evans added: ‘As we work towards becoming net carbon neutral by 2028, we will continue to replace our polluting diesel vehicles with electric ones. We will also be building the infrastructure and staff knowledge we need to help us provide the best service possible for our residents and deliver on our green agenda.’ 

Councils across the UK have been bringing in electric vehicles as part of their efforts to reach net zero emissions in the next decade or so including one of the successful Levelling Up bids for the North East Combined Authority to purchase 52 electric buses.