VDL presents first electric vehicles for waste collection

These electric vehicles are being used to collect non-recyclable waste and raw materials (plastics, metals and drinks cartons, biodegradable waste and paper) in residential areas. A significant advantage of these vehicles is that they do not release any harmful substances and that waste collection takes place with little noise disturbance. Electric side loaders ‘lift’ up mini containers to the side of the vehicle and subsequently empty the contents into the vehicle’s bin. Electric crane trucks are fitted with a special system that allows for underground containers to be emptied.

Living lab project

In addition to HVC, ROVA the municipality of Rotterdam, Cure and VDL, research institute TNO is also participating in this so-called living lab project. TNO is using the experience and knowledge of these sector leaders to develop a broad implementation plan. The plan is vitally important to enable the sector to make the collection of waste and raw materials fully sustainable through the use of electric vehicles. Alongside these four sector leaders, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is also contributing to the project funding. It is partly thanks to these efforts that the public collectors can deploy the vehicles. Once the living lab project has been successfully concluded, we anticipate serial production of these electric vehicles will commence during 2020.

Emissions

The collection of household waste and raw materials goes hand in hand with many transport movements. Relatively short distances are driven in combination with the vehicle continuously standing still and then accelerating again. This leads to inefficient use of conventional diesel engines and consequentially to high fuel consumption and the associated emissions.

Innovation

Initiator and main transporter of the project is VDL Translift, manufacturer of innovative waste collection solutions for (underground) containers in Dronten. “It is fantastic to see this sector collaborating closely on the new generation of vehicles”, says director Mathijs van der Mast. “We are proud of the outcome and have high hopes for an electric future. The new platform offers countless possibilities for continued innovation and for contributing towards a better climate. It is our ‘green mission’ to succeed in this.” Electric vehicles are a natural fit for VDL’s ‘smart mobility’ strategy, which stands for electrification, connectivity, autonomous driving and mobile services. Furthermore, with these new vehicles, VDL is reinforcing its position as European market leader in the electrification of heavy-duty vehicles.

Director of Collections, Gertjan de Waard of HVC: “Residents have the expectation that we collect their waste as sustainably as possible. We, too, feel it is important to make the entire waste sorting process as sustainable as possible. As such, HVC is making conscious decisions; we are choosing for clean and efficient transport. The choice for the electric side loader is consistent with that. I am proud that this time has come: as the Netherlands’ largest public collector, it is our duty to set the trend in sustainable developments. Electric transport is a logical step for HVC. I am looking forward to using the new vehicle for the first time very soon.” HVC will use the first electric collection vehicle at its Velsen site.

Administration and Procurement Manager, Allard van Bruggen of ROVA: “This electric side loader is entirely aligned with our core values: connected, professional and pioneering. Which is why ROVA feels it important to get involved in electric collections from the start. Naturally, the quality and quantity of our operations must remain unaffected. Vehicles powered by alternative fuels are not inferior to those using conventional fuels. We have every faith in this electric side loader.” ROVA will be using the electric collection vehicle at its site in Zwolle.

Specifications

The electric collection vehicles are built on a 3-axle DAF CF truck chassis with a 28-tonne load weight and a steerable tag axle. The electric motor produces 210 kW of power and 2,000 Nm of torque. The engine receives its electricity from a battery pack with a gross capacity of 170 kWh, offering a driving distance of up to 100 kilometres on one fully charged battery. Fast-charging stations supplied by VDL will be put into service at the sites of the end users. To make optimal use of the collection routes, charging the electric collection vehicles in between can be done within just half an hour.

HVC

HVC is responsible for the sustainable waste management of its shareholders (46 municipalities and 6 district water boards in the provinces of North Holland, South Holland, Flevoland and Friesland). HVC undertakes to separate as much waste as possible, so that raw materials can be reused. In addition, HVC produces sustainable energy. HVC supplies this energy to municipalities, district water boards, companies and private households. HVC also supports measures to become sustainable at a local level.

ROVA

ROVA is a public service provider that is responsible for the waste collection in 23 municipalities and for 850,000 inhabitants living in the IJssel-Vecht (Zwolle), Achterhoek (Winterswijk) and Eemland (Amersfoort) regions. The company's main priority is the separated collection of raw material.

The Municipality of Rotterdam

Transport & Equipment is a service business unit of the Municipality of Rotterdam. Transport & Equipment offers a complete package of (special) vehicles and equipment. The department has modern workshops for maintenance, inspection, repair, in-vehicle equipment, damage repair, construction work and alterations. Transport & Equipment has a vehicle fleet that includes special vehicles, such as collection trucks, sweepers, pick-ups and similar, but also fire service vehicles.  Transport & Equipment will use the first electric collection vehicle with crane in Rotterdam. This is in line with the ambition to make the municipal vehicle fleet sustainable.

Cure

Cure Afvalbeheer is a joint venture of the municipalities of Eindhoven, Geldrop-Mierlo and Valkenswaard. Some 125 employees are busy collecting waste from over 135,000 households each day. Cure Afvalbeheer not only empties the grey and green mini-containers and underground containers; it also takes care of old paper and cardboard, plastics, bulky household waste, glass and Household Hazardous Wasted (HHW) that has been sorted. Additionally, Cure is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the containers and manages the waste recycling points in these municipalities.