Background and ObjectivesSevilla is one of the first cities in the world using vehicles with electric propulsion for the collection of urban waste. The Cleaning Service Company LIPASAM, managed by the City Council, added the first five compactor vehicles to its fleet in 1998, for the collection of urban waste in the historic centre of Sevilla. These vehicles, with bimodal technology (hybrid combustion-electric engine), were the first experience at national level in Spain.
The practical benefits of this technology also include lower emissions and environmental noise at low speeds compared to conventional vehicles.
At present, the good experience of the Environmental Department of Sevilla City Council was confirmed by the purchase of another five compactor vehicles, consolidating this bimodal technology.
ImplementationInvestment Details
The acquisition of these new bimodal vehicles implied an investment over 1.5 million of Euros, although the special characteristics of the initiative and its environmental improvement was partially supported by the EU Cohesion Funds (80%); the rest of the investment was supported by the City Council of Sevilla (20%).
Components Manufacturers' Details
A market research among different manufacturers of electric and compacting components was performed prior the acquisition. It was decided to purchase compacting elements produced by SEMAT, which has an extensive experience on bimodal vehicles. Additionally, SEMAT equipment has been used for conventional cleaning systems for urban waste collection in Sevilla for several years.
SEMAT compacting elements were assembled over chassis produced by RENAULT, specifically Premium 250.18 model for medium size and M.180.13 for small size compactors.
The electric equipment was provided by PONTICELLI, which is a company with extensive background and reliability in such field.
ConclusionsFirst, the size of these vehicles, smaller than classic compactors, make them suitable for the collection of waste in the historic centre of the city, which presents an intricate street layout. These vehicles do not block traffic and allow access to difficult or inaccessible sites for big tonnage vehicles |
In addition, the use of the bimodal technology presents a big difference in terms of environmental benefits compared with exclusively fossil fuelled vehicles since hybrid vehicles help to reduce smog-forming pollutants and environmental noise.
The driving range of these on board batteries-operated electric vehicles varies depending on the operation, weight, design features. Batteries can be refuelled by plugging them into the recharging station installed at LIPASAM central office.
It is planned that the vehicles are recharged during the morning and operating as electric engine during the collection service at night. This way the period of electric operation is scheduled for those areas where emissions benefits are most desirable.
More InformationMore information on the implementation is available (Spanish only) at www.lipasam.es.
AuthorSevilla LIPASAM
Contact Sevilla LIPASAM
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