A NEW fleet of electric refuse lorries will be taking to the streets in the coming weeks and months.

Brighton and Hove City Council unveiled a new all-electric bin lorry, which will replace the existing diesel lorries that collect rubbish from across the city.

Councillor Jamie Lloyd, deputy chairman of the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to see the electric vehicle rolled out.

“It is quiet like a whisper - obviously very clean. This is brilliant technology that we’re really looking forward to rolling out.”

Residents won’t need to worry about not hearing the bin men to put their rubbish out, as the vehicles will still make a loud beeping sound as they complete their work.

The move is part of the council’s efforts to make the city carbon-neutral by the end of the decade.

Cllr Lloyd said that changing the fleet over from diesel will save 7,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the course of nine years.

“That’s a huge saving and goes towards our target of carbon neutrality,” he said.

“We are running out of time to save our planet and we have to do everything we can to reduce emissions.”

The new fleet will join a range of other existing vehicles owned by the council, including an ‘e-bike’ for their housing and maintenance team.

The first of the new vehicles will begin its work of collecting Brighton and Hove’s waste at the end of the month, with a further three lorries expected to be in operation by Christmas.

The news comes amid growing concerns about a bin strike in the city, with the GMB union holding a ballot on industrial action which could take place as soon as next month.

Results from that ballot, triggered by a dispute over pay and working conditions, are expected this week.

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