Lunaz confirms electrification programme with Buckinghamshire Council

Lunaz has announced the next phase in a landmark fleet electrification partnership with Buckinghamshire Council.

Following the conclusion of a competitive tendering process, Lunaz has committed to the first phase of up-cycling and electrification of a municipal refuse fleet.

This follows the signing of a Fleet Electrification Agreement at a COP Event hosted at the company’s Silverstone HQ. This started a programme of detailed technical and economic assessment, which enabled them to assemble a highly credible proposal for the competitive tendering process leading to confirmation of the first order.

The first Buckinghamshire bin lorry to become fully electric will begin its up-cycling and electrification process as part of the pioneering partnership between Buckinghamshire Council and Silverstone-based, clean-tech company Lunaz.

The 26-tonne refuse vehicle will be converted from its existing diesel power to electric, with delivery to be made in the autumn. The work is being funded with a grant from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs).

All Lunaz vehicles are completely stripped down and all components inspected, up-cycled and replaced as required. This includes the removal of the current diesel engine and replacing it with a fully electric drivetrain. The cab, driver functions and bin-lift equipment will also be fully refurbished and upgraded to latest technological and safety standards.

This week, Gareth Williams, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment oversaw the delivery of the first diesel refuse vehicle to the team at Lunaz’ HQ on the Silverstone Technology Park. He said: “This is a very exciting moment for Buckinghamshire Council and a big milestone in our journey to cutting our carbon emissions and meeting our climate change strategy ambitions.”

He continued: “It marks the first step in our desire to run a more sustainable fleet of vehicles by using a renewable energy source and has multiple additional benefits including improving air quality and saving money both in terms of cheaper everyday running costs, and the retention of more than 80% of the embedded carbon versus scrapping an existing vehicle and replacing with new. In this regard, our partnership with Lunaz represents the best possible outcome for both the planet and the taxpayer. It also reflects our commitment as a council, to supporting local business and employment in the area.”

This announcement follows the signing in April 2023 of a seven-year fleet electrification programme between Biffa, the UK’s leading sustainable waste management company and Lunaz confirming a commitment to allocating a significant proportion of its 1,110 vehicle per year production capacity.