Engie has managed the installation of 30 new electric vehicle (EV) chargers as part of a rollout of electric refuse vehicles in Manchester.
A spokesperson for waste management business Biffa told Current± that Engie managed the installation of the chargers on behalf of Manchester City Council, with the two working in partnership to rollout the 27 new zero emission vehicles thanks to a £10 million investment from the council.
A total of 30 EV chargers were installed as part of the initiative, with 29 22kW chargers and one 44kW.
It is hoped that using Biffa’s electric fleet will allow the council to make significant progress against its zero carbon action plan, which is aiming to halve direct emissions by 2025 as part of a wider drive to make Manchester carbon free by 2038.
The benefits of the electric fleet include helping to reduce air pollution and improve the environment, the vehicles being quieter and the vehicles being designed for urban environments, with Biffa pointing to how they can complete a full shift in one charge.
Biffa has previously worked with Engie, having signed a deal in 2020 for the installation of EV chargers at its sites. This deal saw a combination of 22kW twin socket load balanced units and some single and dual 7kW units installed, with the chargers integrated into Engie’s GeniePoint platform.
The launch of the new vehicles marks a “major step forward” in Biffa’s ambition to be at the forefront of sustainable waste vehicle technology, the company said, as well as it forming part of Biffa’s sustainability strategy which includes a commitment to tackling climate change and a pledge to cease buying fossil-fuelled vehicles by 2030.
Michael Topham, chief executive at Biffa, said: “We are delighted to be launching the UK’s largest ever fleet of electric refuse collection vehicles and supporting one of the UK’s top cities to become even greener.
“We are confident this is just the start and we will see many more electric vehicles in action across the country in coming years.”
