First electric street sweeper quietly hits Haverhill’s streets

26 Jun 2023

The first electric street sweeper in West Suffolk Council’s fleet is at work in Haverhill, keeping the town’s air cleaner as well as its pavements.

The move is part of the action the council is taking towards becoming carbon net zero by 2030. The new sweeper is larger than the one previously used and much quieter, reducing noise pollution too. It is charged overnight at the Homefield Road depot ready for the next day’s cleaning.

The Boschung sweeper will operate for 6 hours plus without the need to stop and charge, and can be used for a full day’s shift before returning to the depot. During a typical day's work it will save 25kg of CO2e and in May alone, saved 653kg CO2e compared to an equivalent diesel sweeper.

Cllr David Taylor, Cabinet member for Operations said,

‘The new sweeper replaces a smaller diesel vehicle and is one in a fleet of six sweepers used across the district, which we are replacing as they come to the end of their working lives. As well as the significant environmental benefits we anticipate reduced fuel and maintenance costs, and the fact that it can operate in near-silence, makes it ideal to use in residential areas early in the morning. I am delighted with this further step in the right direction.’

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