Adur and Worthing Councils to Introduce Electric Waste Collection Trucks

Adur & Worthing Councils are set to transition to electric waste collection vehicles as part of their commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The first electric refuse truck is scheduled for purchase in the upcoming financial year, with additional vehicles introduced annually.

The councils’ waste fleet, responsible for over 45% of their carbon emissions, currently includes diesel-powered HGVs, many of which were purchased in 2017 and are due for replacement from 2026. Instead of replacing the fleet in bulk, councillors have approved a phased transition to electric alternatives, allowing time to test the technology and adapt infrastructure at the councils’ depots. In the meantime, remaining diesel trucks will switch to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel as a temporary greener solution.

Alongside the shift to electric vehicles, domestic food waste collections will commence in Adur and Worthing by spring 2026. Funding from central government will support the purchase of ten new 7.5-tonne collection vehicles, including two electric models, as well as charging infrastructure. By 2030, the councils aim to have at least 16 electric refuse trucks in service, significantly reducing emissions and improving local air quality.

Photo Credit: Adur & Worthing Councils