Two gritters powered by electricity are to join North Yorkshire’s winter fleet to save money and reduce carbon emissions.
The North Yorkshire County Council-owned company NY Highways has bought the gritters, which are supplied by Dorking-based Bucher Municipal.
According to the council, the vehicles have an anticipated fuel saving of up to 20 per cent compared to standard, diesel-powered gritters. It said in a media release:
“The gritting bodies which deploy the salt will run on an electric battery that can charge in just over 30 minutes. The battery will be able to do multiple runs before needing to be recharged.”
North Yorkshire has a 5,753-mile network of roads. The council’s winter gritting programme to maintain key routes lasts from October to April.
Cllr Keane Duncan
Cllr Keane Duncan, the council’s executive member for highways and transportation, said:
“The electric-bodied gritters are a first for the council’s winter service delivery.
“Innovation is high on our agenda and it is another way we are showing our commitment to achieving net carbon neutrality by 2030.
“The two gritters don’t have any hydraulics which mean there’s less chance of mechanical failure. This increased reliability is vital when we are against the clock trying to deliver the best winter service that we can.”
Picture shows: From left, Andrew Park and Chris Mitchell of Bucher Municipal, Nigel Smith, head of highway operations at North Yorkshire County Council, Rory Hanrahan and Craig Winter of NY Highways, and Mike Francis, operations manager at NY Highways.
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