BDC - Clean, green sweeping machine hits the streets

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Clean, green sweeping machine hits the streets

A new, electric street sweeper is cleaning up Blaby District after the Council received £573,701 to help improve air quality under the banner of Let's Go Electric.

The money came through the Government's Air Quality Grant funding last year. Part of it has gone towards the first electric sweeper. The rest will be spent on an electric conversion kit for a diesel bin lorry.

Air Quality Grants aim to support councils in tackling pollutants including fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. This can create a healthier environment for everyone.

The new vehicles will be used specifically in the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) in the District. All these areas feature major traffic routes and dense populations. Air pollutant levels here do not exceed national guidelines but they remain higher than the World Health Organisation advises.

While the sweeper is already doing the rounds, the converted bin lorry is expected to be ready in the autumn. Once both are operational the Council is hoping to run a competition to name them in celebration of its electric fleet credentials.

Councillor Les Phillimore, Blaby District Council Portfolio Holder for Housing, Community and Environmental Services, said: "We were delighted to receive this money in 2023. It was one of the largest grants given in that round of funding and came on the back of excellent work from officers in delivering an impressive submission."

Councillor Cheryl Cashmore, Portfolio Holder for Health, Leisure, Climate and Economic Development, added: "We already use hydro treated vegetable oil as a fuel source for the bulk of our bin lorries and this has slashed emissions. But we want to go further. The electric sweeper and the electric lorry will help us reach our ambitious target to achieve net zero from our operations by 2030 and a net zero District by 2050. We continue to work on reducing carbon, improving air quality and ensuring a healthier environment for our residents."