'Naked’ rubbish truck on display
Thursday 06 December 2012
Kāpiti will soon become the first Council in the country to get an electric rubbish truck. People interested in seeing it under development are invited to an upcoming open day at Ōtaki's Clean Technology Centre (CTC).
A 'naked' version of the truck will be on display at the CTC on Wednesday 12 December from 1pm to 5pm.
"By 'naked' we mean all the components of the truck will be visible on a driveable testing rig," says Centre Manager, Jeff Smith. "It's a unique opportunity for people to see the components of the electric drive system, because they will be hidden in the final vehicle."
The truck is being built by Zero Emission Vehicles Limited (ZEV) which is expecting it to be the first of many commercial electric vehicles assembled and tested at the Clean Technology Park.
ZEV Managing Director, Andrew Rushworth says the company is aiming to supply the 'model T' equivalent of electric rubbish trucks to the world.
"We believe our company can provide heavy electric drive vehicles that are technically robust, commercially viable and will appeal to companies worldwide who are looking to update their fleets with sustainable solutions."
The $200,000 Council rubbish truck will replace an old vehicle nearing the end of its life. It is expected to be on the road early next year, will have a range of more than 100kms and be charged overnight at the Council depot in Paraparaumu.
Councillor Tony Lester, a member of the Clean Technology Trust, says other Councils are watching the project with interest.
"It's pretty exciting to be the first Council in the country to put an electric rubbish truck on the road, especially one that has been developed locally. We have high hopes for ZEV and the Clean Technology Park to partner in developing technologies that will create jobs and contribute to the Kāpiti's economic growth."
Also on display at the open day will be a range of other technologies being developed by other CTC companies. For more details on these, see the CTC website cleantechnz.co.nz.
The CTC is located at 48 Miro Street, off Riverbank Road in Ōtaki.