Serco Group trials electric recycling and refuse vehicles in three Hampshire districts with electrification pioneers VEV and RVS

• VEV is working with leading public service provider, Serco, and RVS, the independent refuse vehicle solution provider to deliver a pilot scheme for electric recycling and waste collection vehicles in Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor.
• The pilot is to prove feasibility for electrifying the recycling and refuse fleet in Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor.
• The pilot will demonstrate the significant emissions- and noise-reducing benefits from electric vehicle recycling and waste collections for residents living in the pilot areas.
• RVS have refurbished and repowered two diesel refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) into as-new electric vehicles adding further carbon emission savings in terms of manufacturing.
• VEV has supplied charging infrastructure for the eRCVs along with its bespoke management platform, VEV-IQ, to track performance during the pilot.
• High-resolution imagery can be downloaded here.

London, UK (19 March, 2024) – VEV, the e-fleet solutions provider backed by Vitol – a world-leader in the energy sector – today announces the launch of its collaboration with leading public service provider, Serco, and RVS, to pilot electric recycling and waste collection vehicles in Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor.

Refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) are classified as heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and can emit up to 600g CO₂ per kilometre when fully laden. They are arguably among the largest carbon emitters in councils’, or their contractors’, vehicle fleets – making them priority candidates for electrification and a key focus for change to be successful in meeting carbon reduction targets by 2030.

Supporting the climate emergency targets of Basingstoke and Deane, and Hart and Rushmoor Councils, Serco, RVS and VEV have combined their expertise to reduce the carbon footprint of recycling and refuse collection by demonstrating the capabilities of electrically powered collection vehicles (eRCVs).

Set to be deployed in a pilot scheme, RVS has refurbished and repowered two diesel RCVs into as-new electric vehicles. This process results in a lower manufacturing carbon footprint compared to building a new EV from scratch, while also removing a diesel vehicle from the fleet.

Leveraging its expertise in fleet electrification, VEV has supplied and installed charging infrastructure for the eRCVs, and deployed its bespoke fleet management platform, VEV-IQ, to track performance during the pilot.

VEV-IQ will monitor multiple parameters throughout the pilot programme, including the eRCVs’ operational routes, charging schedules, power usage, and CO₂ savings for the councils and Serco.

The project builds on the initial electrification feasibility assessment conducted by VEV at Rushmoor. The pilot will demonstrate the significant emissions- and noise-reducing benefits of electric vehicle waste collection, along with the operational benefits of eRCVs, and establish the business case for Serco to electrify their refuse collection fleets.

VEV CEO Mike Nakrani said:
“Electrifying recycling and refuse collection gives local councils the opportunity to significantly reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution simultaneously, compared to a conventionally powered vehicle. We are pleased to work with RVS and Serco to deliver on the climate emergency targets of Basingstoke and Deane, and Hart and Rushmoor Councils. We’re confident in proving the operational and business case for fleet electrification to reduce the carbon footprint of local council fleets, while delivering a cleaner, quieter environment for local residents.”

Spencer Law, Founder & CEO of Refuse Vehicle Solutions Ltd. said:
“RVS is pleased to be working in collaboration with VEV to address the significant costs of fleet electrification faced by the waste industry. Since our launch of the e-One Electric Conversion in 2020, we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from across the industry, affirming its pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable waste management. Our pilot scheme is an excellent, risk-free opportunity to explore eRCV adoption with ongoing support, and ultimately to advance on essential net-zero objectives”.

George Roach Regional Director for Serco Environmental Services said:
“Serco are proud to be partnering with VEV, RVS and Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor Councils for this pilot, which sees preloved diesel vehicles taken off the road and upcycled into low emission electric vehicles, supporting both our and the local authorities’ net carbon zero targets.”

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Media@vev.com. VEV’s media kit is available here.

About VEV

VEV helps organisations deliver on their carbon reduction ambitions with an end-to-end fleet electrification solution that integrates across vehicles, charging infrastructure and power. VEV is owned by Vitol, a world leader in energy, which to date has committed circa $2 billion to sustainable energy initiatives worldwide.

VEV navigates the complexities of EV transformation to design and implement cost-effective EV fleets optimised for specific fleet requirements. It supports EV fleet operations to guarantee resilience and keep mission-critical fleets running at scale. Bespoke, scalable business solutions are designed around the customer’s own fleet data analysed by a powerful assessment tool, VEV-IQ, and VEV’s experts in energy and sustainable e-mobility. VEV sets businesses up for success in an electrified future.

More information at VEV.com

About RVS

Refuse Vehicle Solutions (RVS) is the UK’s leading independent supplier of New, Quality Used, Refurbished and Electric Conversion refuse collection vehicles.

Combining over 100 years of experience, RVS possess a complete understanding of the waste sector’s demands and requirements, enabling our success in all aspects of RCV provision and maintenance.

RVS are proud to be at the forefront of the waste fleet electrification movement, helping the industry meet its sustainability goals, and evolving together towards a cleaner, greener future.

For more information, visit refusevehiclesolutions.co.uk.

About Serco

Serco brings together the right people, the right technology and the right partners to create innovative solutions that make a positive impact and address some of the most urgent and complex challenges facing the modern world.

With a primary focus on serving governments globally, Serco’s services are powered by more 50,000 people working across defence, space, migration, justice, healthcare, mobility and customer services.

Serco’s core capabilities include service design and advisory, resourcing, complex programme management, systems integration, case management, engineering, and asset & facilities management.

Underpinned by Serco’s unique operating model, Serco drives innovation and supports customers from service discovery through to delivery.

More information can be found at www.serco.com

About Serco in Environmental Services

Serco’s Environmental Services business provides refuse and recycling collection, street cleansing, vehicle maintenance and landscapes services to UK local authorities. We also operate fully integrated waste and recycling contracts which include waste and recycling treatment, processing, recovery and disposal. The company works in long term partnership with 16 local authorities, bringing together our expert knowledge and experience to drive positive social outcomes for the environment, our customers, communities and colleagues.