Labour council admits to charging green electric bin lorries with diesel generators

Labour council forced to admit to charging electric bin lorries with diesel generators A Labour council has admitted its fleet of electric bin lorries is currently feeding off diesel-chugging generators. Cardiff Council was forced to reveal yesterday that dedicated charging stations for the vehicles were rendered unusable after suffering a software malfunction. Representatives admitted to turning to diesel generators after a local resident spotted them drawing from their power. They said the dozen-strong fleet is using them temporarily while they await charging station repairs. The news comes as the council attempts to keep to its pledges to go net zero by 2030, with the lorries having been touted as a part of this drive. The council initiated the transition to electric lorries in 2021 and has added 12 to its roster so far. Each truck, designed by manufacturers Dennis Eagle, contains five packs of lithium-ion batteries. These are the vehicles currently using diesel generators, and they typically take between six to seven hours to fully charge. A council spokesman told the Daily Telegraph that while the dedicated charging infrastructure is successfully serving smaller vehicles, a software issue has caused the Dennis Eagle systems to “trip”. READ MORE: Pensioner fighting to stay in his home of 70 years faces eviction Cardiff has added more electric vehicles to its fleet since 2021 They explained: “The council has infrastructure at Lamby Way Depot to charge electric vehicles. “This equipment charges the smaller vehicles without any issue, but a software problem between these electric chargers and the new electric Denis Eagle RCV vehicles causes the system to ‘trip’.” The spokesman added that the portable diesel generators are only being used on a “temporary basis” until Dennis Eagle can install portable electrical chargers. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Trending