Electra Commercial Vehicles delivers fully electric refuse fleet through repower programme
Electra Commercial Vehicles Ltd has successfully unveiled the first vehicles in a major fleet electrification programme in partnership with Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils.
The project will see a total of 26 refuse collection vehicles transitioned to zero-emission operation, including 20 existing diesel vehicles repowered with electric drivetrains and six new chassis fitted with refurbished bodies.
By repurposing existing assets, the programme provides a significantly more cost-effective alternative to purchasing new electric vehicles, while accelerating the transition to zero-emission operations.
Each repowered vehicle undergoes a full refurbishment process, including structural reinforcement, new wiring looms, upgraded hydraulics, and the integration of a complete electric drivetrain. The result is a fully electric refuse collection vehicle designed for demanding, real-world use.
The vehicles are engineered to operate for multiple days on a single charge, with battery systems that deliver consistent performance throughout the year.
This approach offers several key benefits:
- Reduced capital expenditure compared to new vehicle procurement
- Lower ongoing running and maintenance costs
- Immediate environmental impact through reduced emissions
The first vehicles were unveiled to Lewes District Council last week, marking a significant milestone in the project.
“This programme with Lewes District Council shows what’s possible when innovation and collaboration come together to deliver real-world electrification at scale,” said Ben Smith, Managing Director at Electra Commercial Vehicles Ltd.
Cllr Wendy Maples commented:
“The newly re-powered collection vehicles look brilliant and will deliver real benefits for residents, including lower emissions and a safer operating environment.”
Electra Commercial Vehicles is seeing increasing demand for repower solutions as fleet operators seek practical, scalable pathways to decarbonisation.
