Another clean sweep for Bury

The latest electric, zero emissions sweeper technology has hit the streets of Bury to help keep town centre pedestrian areas clean and tidy.  

As well as giving out zero emissions, the sweeper uses less water and, with no diesel engine, it’s extremely quiet, fume-free and public-friendly.    

Partly funded via Bury Council’s Carbon Management Fund, the Green Machine 500ZE is the second electric vehicle to join the council’s fleet.  

The other electric vehicle, a Megavan Tipper, is used to collect litter from town centre on-street bins. 

Councillor Gill Campbell, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and regeneration, said: “The 500ZE uses 12.7 tonnes less carbon per year – the equivalent of that used by 34 standard diesel cars. Its running costs are really low at just £3 per day compared with £40 per day for the equivalent diesel vehicle and it can operate non-stop for up to eight hours.  It then only takes four hours to re-charge.

“All in all, the vehicle is a great asset to our street cleaning team who are really happy to be doing their bit to help reduce C02 emissions in our pedestrian areas.” 

The Green Machine 500ZE has been supplied to the council by Specialist Fleet Services, via Green Machines, part of the Tennant company, who will maintain the vehicle for the duration of the five-year contract. 

The power source for the 500ZE is lithium ion batteries. It also has an aluminium hopper to prevent rusting. 

Designed inBritain, the 500ZE is the first lithium ion powered suction sweeper in the world. It was designed to create a cleaner and quieter sweeping solution for town and city centre areas. It can also be found cleaning streets inParis,RomeandAmsterdam. 

ENDS

Press release issued: 29 November 2012.

Picture attached: Cllr Gill Campbell checks out the new electric sweeper with (left) Gary Kirwin, town centre street cleaning team leader, and Alan Grimshaw, town centre street cleaner.