The sound of silence will soon roll out through the pristine streets of Queensland’s regional city of Toowoomba as its first electric waste collection vehicle comes into service.
Built by Volvo Trucks for J.J. Richards, who provide waste collection services to Toowoomba Regional Council, the new truck took 12 months to design and build to match the specific needs of delivery in the hilly region.
Toowoomba Region Waste portfolio councillor Melissa Taylor says the electric truck is a welcome addition to the J.J. Richards Toowoomba Region waste collection fleet.
“An electric vehicle in service collecting waste from around the Toowoomba Region is in direct alignment with Council’s sustainability focus right across the organisation,” Taylor says.
“As part of the recently signed contract with J.J. Richards, Council required innovative solutions for waste collection. This solution reduces operational costs, increases flexibility in the service offered and is better for the environment.
“This vehicle, while achieving significant fuel and emission reductions, is also servicing parks and inner CBD sites that are difficult to access, which is a real win for the community.
“TRC strives to be innovative in all that we do and there’s no doubt an electric waste collection vehicle achieves that goal as part of the contract with J.J. Richards.”