Veolia has announced plans to trial electric refuse collection vehicles (RCV) which will be charged by power generated from the waste it collects.

Two 26-tonne RCVs will be switched to electric vehicles in Sheffield – backed by a grant from Innovate UK – and are expected to hit the roads by the end of the year.

Another trial will also see two additional electric RCVs rolled out in London.

The projects are expected to help save 78 tonnes of carbon dioxide – equivalent to removing 33 passenger cars off the road.

The company has also introduced electric vans at hospitals in Liverpool and Southport, which are recharged using low carbon electricity generated by the hospital’s combined heat and power (CHP) plants managed by Veolia.

UK Fleet Director Gary Clark said: “By working closely with our customers to deliver fleet solutions that lower emissions, we help them ensure they deliver real value for money and limit costs for local taxpayers.

“By recharging the vehicle from the energy recovery facility, this approach also show local authorities and the public sector can drive sustainability and use green energy to address their environmental challenges.”