Multi-million-pound bin wagons ‘hidden away’ after council cock-up

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A fleet of 25 multi-million-pound electric bin wagons is being “hidden away” after a council cock-up.

An £8million EV project was set to replace gas-guzzling diesel vehicles with eco-friendly trucks.

But after it was revealed delays with charging infrastructure meant some could not be used, independent councillor Mark Warters, 58, said: “There are 25 vehicles that haven’t been used yet and are just hidden away because they’re an embarrassment.

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“They’ve got nowhere to charge them. They’re behind with installing the charging infrastructure.”

Photos taken by a whistleblower showed the trucks sitting idle at a tarmacked storage area at Harewood Whin in York, North Yorks.

A York Council spokesman admitted that construction of the charging points was “behind schedule”.

He added: “Work is underway for more chargers to go into the depot.”

It comes after just 6% of van drivers said they planned to go electric within the next two years – over fears about a patchy infrastructure.

A poll of 600 adults, who drive a van for work, found that of those yet to take the plunge, 48% intended to stick to a fuel-powered vehicle for now – with 47% still on the fence.

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Two-thirds (65%) of drivers of petrol or diesel-powered vans believe it would be tricky trying to find charging points.

As such, one in five (19%) would be more inclined to make the move if there was an easier way to plan their journey in advance around the location of charging points.

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