Rushcliffe Borough Council

Case Study

The Challenge

Rushcliffe Borough Council engaged Cenex to craft a strategy for transitioning their waste fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) where operationally feasible. The challenge lay in the intricacies of refuse collection fleets, each with unique operational demands, economic challenges, and the energy-intensive nature of waste collection activities.

Cenex aimed to address these complexities, considering factors such as technology maturity, total cost of ownership (TCO) disadvantages, and operational nuances that hindered the transition to electric Refuse Collection Vehicles (eRCVs).

The Development

Cenex developed a Zero Emission Vehicle and Infrastructure Strategy. A baseline analysis of the existing fleet’s composition and emissions assessed the suitability of battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles and determined the required electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

This comprehensive approach also included a high-level review of ultra-low emission vehicle technologies and renewable fuels, alongside crafting a fleet transition roadmap. Leveraging market connections, Cenex provided insights into future zero-emission specialist vehicle availability for Rushcliffe Borough Council’s unique

The Result

Following the fleet baseline, the analysis revealed that 95% of greenhouse gas emissions originated from specific vehicle segments, with 32t RCVs, and large vans being major contributors. Notably, 45% of the assessed vehicles, predominantly light commercial vehicles (LCVs), already demonstrated total cost of ownership savings and operational suitability.

Transitioning these LCVs to battery electric technologies could yield significant savings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9%. Despite high capital costs affecting RCVs, a strategic shift to battery electric vehicles for suitable LCVs could cut Rushcliffe’s emissions by 107 tonnes annually.

Air quality emissions would also substantially decrease (18-34%), requiring additional capital investment for vehicles and charging infrastructure, with the potential for a 59% reduction in well-to-wheel CO2 emissions if cost barriers are overcome.

Partners:

Key Skills:

  1. Waste Management Fleet operations
  2. Zero Emission Vehicle Technology
  3. Total Cost of Ownership Modelling
  4. Emissions Modelling
  5. Fleet Transition Planning