First eCollect is start of all-electric fleet for Bywaters

The vehicle is the first eRCV the family-owned business has purchased as it bids to establish an all-electric fleet of collection vehicles.

The eCollect is being charged at its Lea Riverside materials recovery facility in Bow, East London where electricity is generated by 4,000 rooftop solar panels. It is the largest retro-fitted photo-voltaic (PV) installation in the whole of London and reflects the company’s plans to provide the most sustainable waste management service in the UK and become carbon-neutral by 2030.

Before buying the vehicle, the company trialled the eCollect on different rounds in London to test its functionality and battery life and ensure it would only have a positive impact on the services they provided.

Bywaters’ Head of Logistics James Carlisle said: “This is just the first step on the road to establishing a 100% electric fleet. It is not only the right thing to do but will also win us customers and help us retain existing customers.

“We’ve had a very good relationship with Dennis Eagle for years and after the trials, this vehicle was an obvious choice for us.

“It’s currently operating on an eight-and-a-half-hour shift and only using up 32% of the battery power. And it does it cleanly and efficiently with zero emissions and minimal disturbance.”

Dennis Eagle’s Regional Sales Manager Dan Foden said: “I’m delighted to see this vehicle being put to work like this – the company and the eCollect are a great match.

“Sustainability is at the heart of Bywaters’ operations and I believe the eCollect has a key role to play in the journey they are taking.”

To learn more about Bywaters, please visit: www.bywaters.co.uk