Lunaz upcycled trucks are coming to London

Upcycled refuse trucks from Lunaz have been cleared to enter service in London. 

The trucks achieved the highest five-star Direct Vision Standard (DVS) rating for driver visibility. This standards qualification is part of the Mayor of London's Vision Zero plan to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on London's transport network by 2041. 

The DVS measures how much an HGV driver can see directly through their cab windows. This is expressed as a star rating from zero (limited) to five (good) direct vision, indicating the level of risk to vulnerable road users, such as people walking and cycling.

In a tightening of the standards, from 28th October this year, heavy goods vehicles over 12 tonnes will need to have a three- star rating or fit the Progressive Safe System to operate in Greater London.

Because of its five-star rating, the Lunaz upcycled electric vehicles (UEV) are cleared to enter service in London without any further documents or modifications being required.

The Lunaz trucks are equipped with a suite of technologies to help drivers see around the vehicle from all angles. This includes digitised mirrors that can operate under all conditions, an object detection system that can instantly alert the driver of potential hazards, and mounted cameras on top of the vehicle. 

By reusing and recycling existing vehicles, the company aim minimise the overall lifetime environmental impact of operating commercial vehicle fleets. They claim their UEV is cleaner and better equipped than an all-new electric equivalent, while the restoration and conversion process captures more than 80% of its embedded carbon.

Founder David Lorenz said: "Having our UEVs fully prepared for operation in the capital is an import step towards widespread adoption." He added that they are "cheaper and better-equipped than their all-new electric equivalents, representing greater value for money for local taxpayers."