URL: https://meetings.westoxon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=460

Decision Maker: Director of Place - Phil Martin

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: 1.         To note the update on the status of the waste fleet 2.         To procure up to 4 food waste fleet vehicles

Content: 1.         To note the update on the status of the waste fleet 2.         To procure up to 4 food waste fleet vehicles That the Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment, Executive Member for Finance and the Director of Finance, procures up to 4 food waste vehicles In October 2024 the Executive agreed to purchase 3 fully electric supervisor vehicles and 1 standard fuel ultra-narrow access vehicle. It also sought approval to delegate authority for the purchase or lease of up to 2 full size HGV’s and up to 4 food waste vehicles, including necessary infrastructure, and for the cost not to exceed £2.8m (including a procurement contingency and estimated cost of borrowing).   The 3 electric supervisor vehicles and narrow access vehicle were purchased in February 2025. The installation of electric charging points for the supervisor vans were made at Downs Road in February 2025. The installation of the charging points allows WODC the opportunity to explore the purchase of further electric waste vehicles.   This report seeks to update the Executive on the status of the existing waste fleet and to authorise the Director of Place, in agreement with the Executive Members for Environment and Finance, and the Director of Finance, to procure 4 electric food waste vehicles.     Option One: Do Nothing: Current food waste fleet could remain in service and not be replaced, avoiding the investment cost. This would avoid the immediate financial investment and avoids a procurement process. The fleet would continue to age, leading to a higher risk of breakdown which could result in a reduction in service levels. Whilst the investment cost is avoided, it is likely that there would be a resulting revenue budget pressure as the fleet continue to incur material repair and maintenance costs. To do nothing delays further the transition towards becoming a carbon-neutral authority. This is not an optimal option due to the age and the condition of the fleet which would likely require the additional hire of replacement vehicles in the event of failure.   Option Two: Replace with standard (diesel) fuelled vehicles The investment required for this type of vehicle is significantly less than electric counterparts. New vehicles would deliver reductions in emissions in comparison to the current vehicles and perhaps offer the best financial option. The vehicles would remain familiar to crew and maintenance teams. This option gives WODC flexibility, minimising the chances of disparity with the wider transformational objectives (WESP). Whilst it does not deliver the maximum carbon benefits, it could be used as a method of transition to enable WODC to make the step towards becoming carbon neutral until such time that the investment cost has reduced as the technology improves with 2nd generation electric vehicles becoming operational. This option would allow for a proportion of the budget envelope to be retained in order to be used once the current fleet review has been completed or in the event of a failure of another vehicle within the fleet without incurring further borrowing costs. Whilst this option allows WODC to maintain flexibility for an uncertain future, aligns with ideology of other Oxfordshire districts and is the most financially beneficial option, it does not meet strategic climate objectives.   Option Three: Replace with electric vehicles. The trial of the e-HGV waste vehicle demonstrated that these are operationally reliable given the length of rounds and the weight collected. These vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions and are planned to be charged using at The Council’s depot in Witney, thereby supporting climate targets. Procuring electric food waste vehicles would mean that the vehicles would be the larger 12te version, rather than the standard 7.5te principally as a 7.5te electric version is not available. The larger electric food waste vehicles have additional capacity and can accommodate larger rounds without needing to tip as frequently, this adds additional resilience to the waste service to accommodate housing growth and potentially increased rates of food waste recycling. Electric vehicles wear tyres quicker than standard fuel vehicles due to increased weight as a result of the battery, however electric vehicles generally benefit from lower maintenance costs as they have less mechanical components.  Electric vehicles can be more expensive to insure so there may be a net increase in revenue costs.  There is a good level of confidence in the performance and longevity of batteries used in the proposed electric vehicles, this is based on available evidence from local authorities that are already using these vehicles. However, as the vehicles are first generation and there is not 7 years of evidence of good battery life in equivalent vehicles, it is important to record the risk that batteries may not last the full 7 years, but often manufacturers will offer a guarantee to mitigate this. This option is the most expensive (see table 4 below), with electric vehicles requiring the largest capital investment of all three options but does offer greater flexibility as a result of the increased capacity.  Other Oxfordshire authorities have decided not to pursue large electric waste vehicles or the necessary charging infrastructure at this current time. This option may lead to disparity with future transformational and fleet objectives. This option delivers core replacement whilst supporting climate goals which are strategic aims of WODC.   There were no interests declared.

Date of Decision: November 5, 2025