New Zealand’s first electric rubbish truck will have its public debut this weekend.
The compactor truck is being built by Otaki-based Zero Emission Vehicles and Kāpiti will be the first council in the country to add an electric rubbish vehicle to its fleet.
It will be shown at the Sustainable Home and Garden Show.
“This is another first for a Council that has led the way on sustainability.” says Mayor Jenny Rowan. “Not only will this vehicle reduce carbon emissions and our dependence on imported fossil fuels, it will also reduce noise and air pollution.”
The truck, which will be used to empty public litter bins around Kāpiti, will be kept at the Paraparaumu depot where it will be recharged with cheap night rate electricity.
The vehicle, which is expected to be on the road in April, will have a range of more than 100km on one overnight charging and its battery pack is expected to last around 12 years with routine use.
The Sustainable Home and Garden Show will be held at Kapiti Primary School, Rimu Road, Paraparaumu on Saturday 23 March (9am-4pm) and Sunday 24 March (10am-4pm).
