Two purpose-built 100% electric kerbside glass collection and recycling trucks, fully constructed in New Zealand, are to soon hit the streets working for Palmerston North City Council.They were showcased on last Friday at Evworld Expo in Auckland.

The 100% electric “low emission vehicle” (LEV) trucks which will be used for the collection of street-side rubbish and glass recycling will be launched on Monday 20 August in Palmerston North.(see event details below).

The two electric trucks were constructed by Manco Environmental Ltd and will replace two existing leased diesel trucks.

Palmerston North City Council received funding of $350,000 from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund towards the $736,000 cost of the two new vehicles.

CEO Heather Shotter says the launch of the new trucks is a significant and highly visual way to showcase the City’s goal of being an ‘eco city’.

“We’re a future-focused city that plans for and cares about the future. Lowering carbon emissions and reducing our ecological footprint is important to us,” says Shotter. “To have these trucks constructed within New Zealand and operating entirely by electric batteries is a fantastic precedent. We’ve a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 25 per cent in the City by 2028 and this is a great way to start the process of achieving that reduction.”

The trucks were showcased last week at EV World Expo in Auckland and will start working on Palmerston North streets as soon as Council staff are fully trained in their operation.

Ray McIndoe, PNCC acting Chief Infrastructure Officer says, “Staff are really looking forward to working in clean and quiet vehicles around the city. We’re a little concerned people have got used to the noise of our diesel trucks to signal the collections were happening – but I’m sure people will be delighted with the reduction in noise while they’re operating.”

Manco Environmental has had a long-standing relationship with PNCC. Managing Director, Bryan Black says they are grateful to have supplied this prestigious contract. “This shows Palmerston North City Council is a true trail blazer in the environmental field.”

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