Hydrogen trial gets greenlight
South Derbyshire District Councillors gave the greenlight to trial the use of dual fuelled hydrogen-powered refuse vehicles at its Finance and Management Committee last night (Thursday, 28 April).
Councillors approved a £700,000 trial which involves purchasing two new refuse vehicles and close collaboration and support with ULEMco and Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd. The trial will test the performance efficiency of these new Hydrogen/Diesel refuse vehicles which includes the temporary siting of a mobile hydrogen refuelling point at Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd Burnaston where the two vehicles will be based.
The completed trail is seen as a vital step for the Council to cut carbon emissions and to help meet its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.
As part of the trial one vehicle will be deployed to carry out commercial bin collections and the other will follow a residential route.
The existing SDDC vehicle fleet currently generates an estimated 722 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year and this trial will support the transition to low carbon vehicles which will significantly reduce emissions.
Due to the significant weight of refuse collection vehicles and the geographical range required for their duties, especially in rural districts like South Derbyshire, a full exploration and trail of the new technology and its performance is required.
Councillor Kevin Richard, Leader of South Derbyshire District Council said: “Trialling hydrogen powered refuse collection vehicles is a key part of the work the Council is doing to decarbonise its fleet and we would like to thank our partners for their hydrogen expertise and Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd for hosting the refuelling station.
“This is only the latest step in our work to become carbon neutral by 2030: in the last year, the Council became one of the first to sign up to coffee pod recycling last year and earlier this year was recognised as having the best rated Climate and Environment Plan of all district and borough councils in the East Midlands.”
The two new vehicles are anticipated to be in use by the end of this year.
29 April 2022