Biffa agrees electrification and up-cycling partnership with Lunaz

Biffa and Lunaz have agreed a deal to give Biffa trucks a new lease of life by replacing diesel engines with electric.

The move will ensure older vehicles are upcycled instead of being scrapped as Biffa transitions its fleet to zero-emissions powertrains.

In signing a fleet electrification and upcycling agreement, Lunaz has committed to supporting the transition of Biffa’s existing diesel refuse trucks over the next decade to clean-air electric powertrains through its proprietary upcycling and electrification process and technology.

This multi-year production programme is expected to see growing numbers of vehicles delivered to Biffa over the mid-term.

With an initial order of up to ten 26-tonne upcycled electric vehicle (UEV) refuse trucks, it is expected to save up to 210 tonnes in embedded carbon.

Maxine Mayhew, chief operating officer for collection and specialist services at Biffa, said: “By working with Lunaz to meet our goal of buying no more fossil fuelled vehicles by 2030 while breaking the replace-with-new cycle, we pioneer an approach in this industry that saves millions of tonnes in embedded carbon.

“I am proud that every electric vehicle upcycled by Lunaz for Biffa’s fleet will mean one less tailpipe emission emitting vehicle for our planet.

“This long-term partnership with Lunaz is a major pillar in our collective effort to achieve our 2030 commitments.”

Lunaz has a capacity to up-cycle more than 1,110 industrial vehicles every year at its factory in Silverstone.

The company has already committed to expanding its UK up-cycling and electrification footprint to meet surging demand for electrified vehicles in the run-up to the 2030 ban on the sale of fossil fuelled vehicles.

Following the successful completion of technical trials and due diligence, first deliveries will take place for operations on UK refuse collection routes in 2023.

Biffa’s UEV refuse trucks will operate on both commercial and municipal waste collection routes.

David Lorenz, founder and CEO of Lunaz, said: “Biffa has led from the front in pioneering more sustainable waste management practices here in the UK.

“At Lunaz, we are proud to assist in delivering Biffa’s sustained commitment to leading the waste management industry’s transition to net zero.

“By embracing the power of upcycling as a dramatically more sustainable course to the transition to a clean air fleet, Biffa delivers economic value to its stakeholders while delivering a great ecological dividend to the planet.

“By finding new life for diesel-emitting vehicles, we are delighted to stand together with a leading UK company in creating the potential to reduce global emissions at scale.”

David Beckham, who is a Lunaz investor, said that the deal was a “strong endorsement” of the company’s innovative approach to finding sustainable solutions.

He added: “I’m delighted to be an investor in this fast growing and exciting British company."