The ACT’s Minister for Transport and City Services has alerted the city’s motorists that an electric garbage truck is currently ‘zapping’ around the streets as part of the Government’s plan to adopt a zero emissions motor vehicle fleet.
The Minister, Chris Steel, said that as the ACT is Australia’s leader on climate action, it needs to electrify as many private and public transports as soon as possible if it’s to stay so.
“Transport currently accounts for more than 60 per cent of our harmful emissions,” Mr Steel said.
“We’ve already kick-started this transition with 12 battery electric buses joining Transport Canberra’s fleet this year and a further 90 e-buses on the way.”
He said the Government was now assessing how it could move to zero emissions trucks for waste collection in the ACT.
“This two-week trial will provide an understanding of the features and benefits of using zero emissions technology for heavy commercial vehicles,” Mr Steel said.
“The vehicle will be based at the government’s Allara St depot in Civic, which has already been fitted with charging infrastructure following an earlier electric tipper truck trial.”
He said the zero emission technology had advanced significantly for heavy vehicles and the Government wanted to be ready to bring on the new waste trucks to provide cleaner, quieter waste and recycling services to the Canberra community.
“This trial is another important step in that direction,” Mr Steel said.
The represent of the company that brought the ‘zapping’ truck to Canberra for trial, Darren Gear was quoted as saying the company was pleased to be partnering with the ACT Government for the trial.
“The Bucher UR11 rear loader fitted to the Hino FE Sea drive chassis is the cutting edge of EV technology,” Mr Gear said.
“Our company believes in solving challenges with key partnerships through technology and we strive to develop new equipment that meet environmental outcomes for now and into the future.”
Mr Steel said the truck had a top speed of 100 km/h and could run for eight hours on a full charge of electricity.
