Lewisham Council has purchased six new state-of-the-art refuse vehicles to improve air quality in Lewisham.
The new vehicles are part of a major campaign to ensure all of Lewisham’s refuse vehicles are environmentally friendly. They are estimated to reduce harmful gas emissions by 95% and are also engineered to reduce noise levels.
Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, who officially unveiled the new vehicles on Wednesday, said: 'I am thrilled and excited to unveil Lewisham’s first fleet of environmentally-friendly refuse vehicles.
'Investing in low-emission vehicles for our excellent refuse service shows Lewisham Council is committed to doing all it can to reduce harmful emissions.
'The new vehicles will dramatically improve air quality in Lewisham and lower the amount of pollution our vehicles produce.
'Residents will also be pleased to know these new vehicles are quieter than ever.'
The vehicles are the latest low-emission refuse vehicles to come out and will replace Lewisham’s 10 year-old vehicles.
The new vehicles will use a 5% bio-diesel mix fuel which is refined from plant matter rather than fossil-based material.
This source of fuel is sustainable and when consumed in the engine it produces less carbon emissions.
Over the next few years Lewisham will completely replace all of its refuse vehicles with the new low gas-emission vehicles.