FAQs
This page provides answers to some common questions about ULEVs. We hope that most questions about the suitability of ULEV vehicles and infrastructure for operation in Welsh local authority fleets are addressed by the tools and resources in the Knowledge Hub, and questions on the availability of ULEV waste vehicles are answered in the Vehicle Catalogue.
What is an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV)?
ULEVs emit less than 75 grams of CO2 per kilometre (g/km) from the tailpipe.
In the context of the Waste and Recycling ULEV Programme this generally refers to battery electric waste vehicles which have zero tailpipe emissions. Hydrogen fuel cell waste vehicles, if available and suitable for deployment, would also qualify.
Why transition to ULEVs?
Battery electric (BEV) and fuel cell vehicles have no tailpipe emissions, and lower overall (well-to-wheel, WTW) emissions, and are generally quieter, than conventional vehicles. The WTW emission performance of the BEVs will improve further as the electricity grid continues to decarbonise or where dedicated renewable electricity is used to charge the vehicles.
Summary Deployment and Performance Reports on the emission performance of the ULEV waste vehicles deployed by the Programme are available on the Knowledge Hub.
Are ULEV waste and recycling vehicles available?
An ever-growing number ULEV waste and recycling vehicles are available as detailed in the Vehicle Catalogue.
Will a ULEV waste and recycling vehicle be suitable for my round?
The ULEVs deployed by the Programme have shown that they can replace conventional waste and recycling vehicles. The Knowledge Hub has several resources that help local authorities understand whether a ULEV will be suitable in their application.
26t eRCV and 16t eSweeper Excel energy models to allow each local authority to model how the ULEVS will perform on individual rounds.
eRCV and eSweeper Performance insight reports that provide detailed discussion on how to optimise the in-service operating cost and emissions benefits of the vehicles.
Summary Deployment and Performance Reports on the emission and economic performance of the ULEV waste vehicles deployed by the Programme.
ULEVS are less mature than the conventional vehicles that they are replacing and inevitably there will be teething and reliability issues when the vehicles are introduced. These can be mitigated by working with the vehicle supplier to improve the in-service uptime of the vehicle.
Will a ULEV waste and recycling vehicle cost more?
In general, ULEV cost more than an equivalent conventional vehicle. For large, relatively low production volume vehicles such as RCVs, RRVs, and sweepers, the purchase cost differences at present are significant, although they will fall as more are produced and deployed.
The Programme provides funding to mitigate any additional capital cost of ULEVs over conventional waste vehicles.
Funding support for recharging infrastructure and potential additional works such as depot solar generation may be available from the Welsh Government Energy Service.
Battery electric ULEVs generally cost less to operate than conventional vehicles. The cheaper the electricity used to charge the vehicles, the more the operating cost savings will improve.
The Knowledge Hub has several resources that help local authorities understand whether a ULEV will be suitable in their particular application.
A Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Excel model that allows each local authority to calculate the overall cost of operating vehicles over the vehicle lifespan using their own energy costs and operating conditions.
26t eRCV and 16t eSweeper Excel energy models to allow each local authority to model how the ULEVs will perform on individual rounds
eRCV and eSweeper Performance insight reports that provide detailed discussion on how to optimise the in-service operating cost and emissions benefits of the vehicles.
Summary Deployment and Performance Reports on the emission and economic performance of the ULEV waste vehicles deployed by the Programme.