Veolia, in partnership with Westminster City Council, took to the streets to roll out their new, industry-leading fleet of electric street cleansing bikes for World EV Day. The set of 14 new bikes are an addition to the extensive Westminster fleet of over 60 electric street cleansing and collections vehicles.
The new electric bikes have allowed Veolia to cut down on the number of diesel vehicles used within the borough. Using a bike in replacement of a diesel vehicle not only significantly reduces noise pollution, but allows for a 100% reduction in Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions. The electric bikes contribute towards the 89% of carbon savings that the overall electrification of the West End Fleet has created – strengthening Westminster City Council’s commitment to net-zero by 2040.
Councillor Dimoldenberg, Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality, unveiled the new fleet under Marble Arch, and held discussions on how Veolia and Westminster City Council can work together to provide a safer and greener borough.
In becoming the benchmark company for ecological transformation, Veolia is committed to tackle climate change, resource depletion, biodiversity collapse, and pollution by expanding the use of existing solutions, and developing new innovative solutions. The bikes are an innovative intervention set to change standard collection and cleansing models, and are currently being used as part of the fly-tip collection process for the delivery of commercial waste bags, and for the monitoring of hot spot areas.
The bikes also ensure that waste can continue to be collected during road closures and within pedestrianised areas. Their use is a step towards a new model of collection in the form of the village approach, with reduced focus on vehicles in and out of depots, and allows for increased coverage, a more efficient service, and less disturbance for residents.
Helder Branco, General Manager for Veolia Westminster said: “We’re very pleased to be operating with such a large electric fleet in Westminster. The new electric bikes not only lower emissions and contribute toward Westminster City Council’s target of net-zero emissions by 2040, but also allow us to offer a further improved and streamlined service for Westminster residents. We hope that our innovative approach to our operations across the borough will continue to set the standards for the future of sustainable operations.”
Councillor Dimoldenberg, Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality said: “Westminster has some of the highest carbon emissions and poorest air quality of any local authority,
and urgent steps need to be taken if we want to improve. The electrification of the Veolia waste cleansing fleet demonstrates how seriously the new administration is taking air quality.”
Leo Bethell, Head of Partnerships for EAV said: “Supporting Veolia and Westminster City Council work towards their net-zero emissions target, by facilitating the adoption of our electric cargo bikes, has been a great testament to the innovation in Westminster and to the versatility of the EAV 2Cubed. Tailoring the EAV 2Cubed to enhance the efficiency of Veolia’s waste management operations should inspire the wider adoption of innovative vehicles in this sector, and act as a blueprint for the modern city.”
