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Konstanz is committed to a green future: two new e-waste cars on the way!
The city of Konstanz is committed to sustainability: two new e-waste vehicles start regular operation and reduce CO2 emissions.
Konstanz is committed to a green future: two new e-waste cars on the way!
The switch to electromobility is making its way into Konstanz's waste management, as the Waste Management Company of the City of Konstanz (EBK) has now put two new garbage trucks with electric drives into operation. These measures are intended not only to protect the environment, but also to make operations more efficient. How South Courier reports, regular use of the vehicles will begin at the beginning of September, meaning that three out of nine garbage trucks in the city are now electrically powered. The first fully electric vehicle was already successfully in use in December 2023.
With a battery capacity of 295 kWh, the e-waste vehicles can empty up to 1000 times without having to recharge in between. Recuperation, i.e. the recovery of braking energy, ensures additional efficiency. This quiet operation of the new vehicles not only has benefits for the environment, but is also a benefit for residents and EBK employees, who benefit from lower noise emissions.
Environmental protection and cost savings
In terms of environmental impact, switching to electric garbage trucks is a smart move. Around 10,000 liters of diesel are saved per vehicle every year, which significantly reduces CO2 emissions. These positive effects are supported by subsidies of 60,000 euros per vehicle, which reduce the higher purchase costs by around 50 percent. In the long term, it is expected that these investments will pay for themselves through the cheaper operation of the electric vehicles.
The decision to invest in the more environmentally friendly e-waste vehicles was made at the end of November 2024 by the Technical Operations Committee of the Konstanz municipal council. This step is part of a long-term plan to create a climate-neutral fleet.
Outlook on the future of electromobility
Similar developments are on the agenda for many cities and municipalities, including Bielefeld. There, the environmental company is testing an electrically powered garbage truck to assess the possibilities for expanding the e-mobility strategy. How Bielefeld.de reports, the test will be carried out with an open mind and is intended to provide important data that will be incorporated into future decisions.
The progressive switch to electromobility and alternative energies has proven to be unavoidable. This is supported by a study by the Federal Environment Agency, which further confirms the climate benefits of electric vehicles. The advantage lies in the increase in electric cars from 40% (2020) to up to 55% (2030), provided the expansion of renewable energies is promoted. The results regarding electric trucks also show that their use will bring significant climate benefits as early as 2030. How Federal Environment Agency summarized, the need to expand an appropriate charging infrastructure is essential in order to further promote emission-efficient mobility.
In summary, it can be seen that Konstanz is on the right path towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly waste management. The integration of e-waste vehicles is a step towards a greener future for the city that not only takes into account the current needs of today, but also plans for future generations.