Title of Example

Example

Description

Sevilla 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 compacters 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. Hybrid electric vehicles combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle, resulting in twice the fuel economy of conventional vehicles. 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 compacter vehicles, consolidating this bimodal technology.

Advantages

The use of bimodal compacters in the historic centre of Sevilla provides important advantages over conventional collection vehicles.

First, the size of these vehicles, smaller than classic compacters, 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 and therefore they are a very important resource for urban waste collection in the city centre.

In addition, the use of this bimodal technology presents a big difference in terms of environmental benefits when compared with exclusively fossil fuelled vehicles since hybrid vehicles help to reduce smog-forming pollutants and environmental noise.

Bimodal compacter vehicle for urban waste collection in the historic centre of Sevilla

Cost

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%).

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 compacters.

The electric equipment was provided by PONTICELLI, which is a company with extensive background and reliability in such field.

Technical characteristics

The compacters meet security specifications, and pollutant emissions and noise limitations according to the EU regulations currently in force.

Main technical characteristics of these vehicles are the following:

- MEDIUM SIZE BIMODAL COMPACTER

Size

Length: 8100 mm

Width: 2500 mm

Height: 3300 mm

Chassis

Manufacturer: RENAULT

Model: Premium 250.18

Maximum weight: 18 t

Power: 250 HP

Electric system

Manufacturer: PONTICELLI

Voltage: 96 V

Battery range: 900 A/h

Battery type: Acid lead

Traction: 36 kW

Compacting system

Manufacturer: SEMAT

Model: CE.224

Capacity: 14 m³

Compacting range 5 to 1

Optimal load: 7 t

Container lift equipment

Manufacturer: SEMAT

Model: OSCL-1124

Time: 90-360 l / 9 seconds

660-1000 l / 14 seconds

Hydraulic engine

Number of units acquired 2

- SMALL SIZE BIMODAL COMPACTER

Size

Length: 7000 mm

Width: 2270 mm

Height: 2880 mm

Chassis

Manufacturer: RENAULT

Model: M.180.13

Maximum weight: 13 t

Power: 175 HP

Electric system

Manufacturer: PONTICELLI

Voltage: 96 V

Battery range: 585 A/h

Battery type: Acid lead

Traction: 36 kW

Compacting system

Manufacturer: SEMAT

Model: CE.210

Capacity: 8 m³

Compacting range 5 to 1

Optimal load: 4 t

Container lift equipment

Manufacturer: SEMAT

Model: OSCL-1124

Time: 90-360 l / 9 seconds

660-1000 l / 14 seconds

Hydraulic engine

Number of units acquired 3

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.

Further details

More available information on www.lipasam.es

Last Updated

13th January 2005