Northampton council to use electronics to reduce fuel bills on refuse lorries

South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) is set to introduce advanced telematics on its refuse vehicles in a bid to cut fuel bills.

In conjunction with Cherwell District Council, SNC will also investigate the expansion and improvement of existing electric charging points at council depots as a first step towards changing council vans and cars to electric power.

Cllr Dermot Bambridge, SNC’s portfolio holder for environmental services, said: “Many new car owners are familiar with telematics, which show how efficiently they are driving.

“We are now planning to fit extra electronics to our waste and recycling lorries to help optimise fuel usage on those vehicles.

“Our drivers are experts and the new technology will help them to get even better economy from the vehicles they drive.

“We’ve tested a system over a month and it delivered eight per cent fuel savings. Across our fleet of 15 refuse collection vehicles that could mean a saving of up to £20,000 a year.:

Cllr Bambridge went on to say that “looking ahead” charging points for its fleet could be extended for public use”.

He said: “Combined with solar panels, like the ones at our Tove Depot in Towcester, we hope eventually to have a light vehicle fleet with zero emissions.”