An electric recycling collection truck powered by energy generated from solar panels at Keynsham Recycling Hub is being trialled by Bath and North East Somerset Council.

The 16-tonne DAF vehicle, currently being used for recycling collections across the district, has a larger capacity than the council’s existing fleet, meaning it can collect more recycling before having to return to the depot.

The waste and cleansing operations are already supported by 12 electric vehicles. Investment is set aside to potentially replace several diesel-fuelled refuse collection vehicles with electric powered ones in 2026.

The trial will help inform whether this type of vehicle would be a suitable upgrade for the council’s recycling collection vehicles, which are due for replacement in 2027.