Silverstone Park clean-tech business Lunaz has been appointed to ‘upcycle’ bin lorries to electric power for national operator Biffa as well as Buckinghamshire Council.
The first truck converted from diesel to electric inside Lunaz’s 200,000 sq ft Silverstone Park premises will be delivered to the Buckinghamshire authority this autumn ahead of its wider fleet undergoing conversion in 2024.
Lunaz’s founder and CEO David Lorenz said: “Lunaz is proud to unlock the power of up-cycling to provide local authorities and waste management companies with electric refuse trucks that represent a dramatically better outcome for both the planet and the taxpayer.
“As a Silverstone based technology company, we are delighted to announce the first phase of our large-scale volume commitment to supplying the UK’s local authorities with clean-air and up-cycled refuse trucks.”
Gareth Williams, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, 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.
“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. These include improving air quality and saving money both in terms of cheaper daily running costs, plus the retention of more than 80 per cent 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.”
Meanwhile, Lunaz has committed to supporting the transition of Biffa’s existing diesel refuse trucks over an initial seven-year period to clean-air electric powertrains through its proprietary upcycling and electrification process and technology.
Together the companies are working together to create an innovative solution for the transition of large vehicles to EV to reduce emissions and tackle global climate change.
This multi-year production programme is expected to result in growing numbers of vehicles delivered to Biffa over the mid-term, starting later this year.
It is estimated that an initial order of up to ten 26-tonne upcycled electric vehicle (UEV) refuse trucks will save up to 210 tonnes in embedded carbon.
Biffa’s Maxine Mayhew, Chief Operating Officer, Collection and Specialist Services, said: “As the UK’s leading sustainable waste management company we are committed to enabling the circular economy while reducing emissions and carbon expenditure in every aspect of our business.
“This long-term partnership with Lunaz is a major pillar in our collective effort to achieve our 2030 commitments.
“We are proud to work with an innovative UK company to realise the transformational power of upcycling to save thousands of tonnes of embedded carbon in our transition to clean-air refuse truck fleets.”
David Lorenz added: “Biffa has led from the front in pioneering more sustainable waste management practices here in the UK. We are proud to assist in delivering Biffa’s sustained commitment to leading the waste management industry’s transition to net zero.
“By finding new life for diesel-emitting vehicles, we are delighted to stand together with a leading UK company in creating the potential to reduce global emissions at scale.”
