Turning Waste into Power: The Case for Electric Refuse Trucks

Imagine a future where the waste in our black bins could powers our homes, cleans our air, and transforms how we live. Hidden within our waste lies an extraordinary opportunity to revolutionise waste management—using yesterday’s waste to power the vehicles that collect them. 

Our refuse travels in refuse collection vehicles (RCVs), integral to managing waste, classed as heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). These trucks are significant emitters, generating about 600 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. They drive along predictable routes, picking up waste from households and transporting them to treatment facilities like landfill sites, incineration plants, and recycling centres. 

In the UK, over 70% of non-recyclable waste ends up in landfills. Modern landfill gas capture systems minimise the significant methane emissions from landfills. Yet, the reliance on landfills is unsustainable. The UK’s Circular Economy Package aims to recycle 65% of municipal waste and minimise landfill disposal to no more than 10% by 2035. Achieving this target requires a major shift in how waste is collected and processed. 

Electric refuse collection vehicles (eRCVs) powered by energy generated from waste offer a cleaner and more efficient solution. Facilities such as SELCHP (South East London Combined Heat and Power) convert non-recyclable waste into energy, generating enough power to sustain 48,000 homes. Over 50% of this energy qualifies as renewable under the Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO). Some of this energy is used to charge Westminster eRCVs through a private wire, creating a loop system where waste collected from homes and businesses in Westminster is used to charge the refuse collection trucks that collect them. Municipalities across the world can replicate this system. 

While battery technology remains a challenge for HGVs, eRCVs are well-suited to the unique refuse truck operations for municipalities. Unlike long-haul trucks, RCVs operate on predictable, shorter routes and return to their home depots between shifts, allowing time to charge between shifts. Innovations like the Mercedes-Benz eEconic, which has a 150km range and can recharge from 20% to 80% in just over an hour, are closing the gap.  

Cost is another hurdle. At approximately £400,000, an eRCV is nearly double the price of a diesel equivalent. Yet, operational savings can offset the initial investment over time. According to Eunomia Research and Consulting, powering these trucks with electricity instead of diesel and lower maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts can save about £13,000 per vehicle annually. Government incentives, such as grants for low-carbon technologies, can further offset the higher upfront investment.

Another challenge is charging infrastructure. McKinsey estimates that Europe will need over 300,000 charging points for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2030, up from about 10,000 in 2024. However, RCVs are uniquely positioned to benefit from dedicated electric vehicle charging infrastructure built at their home depots, reducing dependence on public chargers.

Some municipalities are already leading the way in the transition to eRCVs. The City of London operates a fully electric refuse fleet following successful trials, while Westminster City Council invested £20 million in 45 fully electric refuse trucks. In the U.S., Louisville, Colorado, has launched the nation’s first 100% electric garbage truck fleet. 

The possibilities for eRCVs extend beyond environmental and economic benefits. After completing their daily shifts, eRCVs still hold over 40% of their charge in some cases. Vehicle-to-grid technology can utilise the energy stored in the batteries by feeding it back into the national grid during peak times, such as in the evenings when millions of kettles are switched on.

The electrification of refuse collection vehicles is an opportunity to rethink waste—not as a burden, but as an energy source to power our homes and the vehicles that collect our waste. Policymakers should accelerate support for this transition, businesses should innovate to overcome technical and operational barriers, and municipalities need to lead by example. 

It’s time to turn yesterday’s trash into tomorrow’s power. By adopting eRCVs, we can create a cleaner, more sustainable future where our waste builds sustainable cities.