THE Forest Council says most of its vehicles will be electric or powered by alternative fuels within six years as part of its net zero carbon ambitions.

The council's vehicles, which includes bin lorries, recycling and street cleaning vehicles as well as cars, account for 89 per cent of its emissions.

Two electric recycling vehicles have been bought by the council and are expected to come into service next month.

Cllr Andy Moore (Green, Newnham), the council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Waste and Recycling, said: “Trials with the new RQ-E Kerb-Sort Romaquip vehicles, which will be collecting recycling from the kerbside in the Forest of Dean from this summer, were reassuringly positive.

“Although the purchase cost is greater than a diesel lorry, they deliver significant savings over their lifetime and, most importantly, cut our greenhouse gas emissions, reduce air pollution and result in a healthier environment for our residents.  

“This new route map to decarbonisation looks at all council vehicles, from the waste and recycling vehicles to grounds maintenance service vans and other cars used by staff, such as our environmental services and planning teams.

“Along with other environmental measures the council has brought in over the past few years, including fitting solar photovoltaic panels to help power the council’s Coleford offices and installing cavity wall insulation to reduce emissions, this strategy will ensure we can meet the ambitious target we’ve set ourselves as a council to achieve net zero by 2030, ahead of the government’s UK target.”

The council's 41 waste and recycling vehicles created 850 tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2021-22 in travelling half a million miles.

Eight recycling vehicles are expected to need replacement by next April and electric alternatives will be considered, providing they can carry out the operations they are needed for with no reduction in service performance and reliability.

The council is also handing over vehicle management to Ubico, a council-owned company which is taking on the waste and recycling service from August and which currently provides grounds maintenance services.