Picture caption: David Newcombe, Managing Director of Commercial Lending, Paragon Bank with one of Exeter’s new eCollect electric refuse vehicles

A fleet of three brand new eCollect electric refuse vehicles have started working collection rounds in Exeter, helping the city to reduce carbon emissions, air pollution and noise.

The 26t vehicles, which went into service on 1 July, have been installed by Exeter City Council’s fleet partner, Specialist Fleet Services Ltd (SFS) as part of a 7-year fleet agreement, which commenced in 2019.

Northampton-based fleet management company SFS is part of the Paragon Banking Group and the first UK contract hire company to install an entire fleet of eCollect RCVs.

Dave Newcombe, Managing Director of Commercial Lending, Paragon said:

“As a supporter of the government’s ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, I’m delighted that Paragon and SFS are able to support Exeter City Council’s goals to decarbonise their refuse fleet.” 

Bob Sweetland, Managing Director, SFS said:

“The decarbonisation of Exeter’s RCVs is an important step in the rollout of commercial electric vehicles and SFS are proud to be the first contract hire company to install a fleet of eCollect RCVs in the UK.

“We are confident that the benefits of the new fleet will be appreciated by both crews and residents and provides an excellent real-world example to other local authorities of what is now possible and how it can be achieved.” 

To further reduce the council’s impact on climate change the new electric fleet will eventually be powered by the Water Lane Solar Park, scheduled for completion this summer.

SFS was established nearly 30 years ago and has a successful track record in delivering fleet and workshop management solutions to local authorities across the UK. The company runs a network of workshops across the UK as well as operating its own specialist vehicle hire division, CTS Hire.

ENDS.