Waste collection accounts for 6% of CO2 emissions from urban logistics in the Netherlands. As the number of residents in urban areas grows, emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other harmful by-products such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) and noise (dB) will continue to increase. The journeys involved in waste collection are particularly demanding because of the short distances combined with frequent stopping and starting. As a result, a conventional diesel engine is used inefficiently, leading to high fuel consumption and high emissions.

In 2018, we launched the DKTI pilot project with four end users, all four of whom now have a waste collection vehicle powered by VDL E-POWER in operation.

The research institute TNO will use the experiences of these frontrunners and the knowledge provided to develop a roadmap. This roadmap will enable the industry to scale up electric collection and make its waste collection operations fully sustainable by 2030.