The new fleet will consist of 21 vehicles which are partly powered by on-site solar panels.
The council says the move marks a significant step in its decarbonisation efforts, replacing its existing diesel-powered recycling vehicles with electric alternatives that are partly powered by energy generated from on-site solar panels.
A first batch of 10 vehicles is due to be delivered later this summer, with the remaining vehicles arriving in phases throughout the year.
Councillor Scott Jones, cabinet member for Streetscene, commented: “We’re very proud to be the first local authority in the UK to invest in a fully electric recycling fleet. We’ve been working proactively to make this milestone a reality.
“Not only will these vehicles help improve air quality for residents, they’ll also be cheaper to run which helps free up funds for spending on other services across the county.
According to the council, the new fleet will help improve air quality across the county borough while also reducing operational costs, with lower running expenses expected to release funding for other frontline services.
The vehicles also offer a larger carrying capacity than the council’s existing fleet, enabling crews to collect greater volumes of recyclable material per journey.
Neath Port Talbot says this will support its efforts to continue exceeding the Welsh Government’s statutory recycling target of 70%.
Jones added: “This move demonstrates we’re continuing to back up our Climate Change emergency declaration with real action.
“It also aligns with our Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy (DARE) strategy, powering us towards a cleaner, greener future for Neath Port Talbot.”
In addition, the authority expects the electric fleet to deliver improved maintenance efficiencies compared to the diesel vehicles they replace.
The investment forms part of the council’s wider environmental strategy and follows increasing momentum among local authorities to electrify waste and recycling collections.
The council said the fleet transition underlines its commitment to cutting carbon emissions while maintaining high recycling performance across the region.
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