The council explained that the investment will ensure its fleet is fully compliant before the October 2020 ULEZ extension, which will mean vehicles over 3.5 tonnes in the council’s boundary will need to meet the stricter emission standards.
Kensington and Chelsea’s current waste contract with Suez started in 2005 and expires in 2021. The Suez fleet consists of 75 vehicles including Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCVs) and support vehicles. Each vehicle has an estimated workable lifespan of 7-8 years before being replaced.
The fleet is owned and maintained by Suez, but at the end of the contract the council is required to buy back the fleet at the current Net Book Value and transfer it to the new contractor.
Under the current contract, the council is responsible for any additional expenditure arising from change in law, which means it is required to fund additional costs incurred from ULEZ.
The council’s leadership team met last night to decided how to move forward, with the options ranging from either doing nothing and paying £100 per vehicle to operate in the ULEZ, and simply replaing the vehicles when next required to do so in April 2021 or upgrading the current fleet.
Option
However, the preferred option put to the committee was to bring forward the date, and pay both the early disposal cost of non-compliant vehicles and cost of new replacement vehicles. The vehicles would be purchased by Suez on the council’s behalf. This is estimated to cost £2.87 million
A report to the committee also explained that from 2021/2 this cost will be covered by lower contract costs, due to the council paying for the vehicles instead of Suez, however the budget will need to be increased in the short term.
Like many councils are waiting for reliable zero emission bin lorries to be developed by manufacturers – we’re committed to procuring the greenest vehicles as they become available.
Cllr Cem Kemahli, lead member for environment, Kensington and Chelsea council, said: “This move will take tonnes of carbon and harmful particles out of our atmosphere but it’s just part of a wider strategy to make all Council vehicles green and sustainable.
“We want to inspire everyone in the borough, including our local businesses, to consider making the switch to a green car, van or truck in the year ahead.
“Like many councils are waiting for reliable zero emission bin lorries to be developed by manufacturers – we’re committed to procuring the greenest vehicles as they become available.”
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