PreZero is expanding its fleet this year with 30 new electric vehicles (EVs) and providing nine locations with six new charging points each.
The new EVs will collect commercial waste in and around Amsterdam, Utrecht, Dordrecht, Berkel en Rodenrijs, Duiven, Helmond, Alphen aan den Rijn, Hengelo, and Apeldoorn, replacing collection trucks that still run on diesel.
This new milestone follows an expansion in 2023 when PreZero added ten electric trucks to its fleet in Duiven.
At various PreZero locations, the charging facilities are positioned above the electric vehicles.
Compared to conventional charging stations, this offers the significant advantage of requiring only half the space for the installation of the infrastructure.
Previously, there was a charging station between every two vehicles; now, six trucks can be parked side by side.
Over the summer, PreZero established new charging areas at its locations in Berkel en Rodenrijs and Amsterdam.
In the coming months, charging areas will follow at the remaining locations.
The installation of charging stations faces the dilemma of grid congestion throughout the Netherlands.
“Despite the current issues surrounding grid congestion, we do not see it as an option to delay the electrification of our fleet,” says Iwan te Winkel, COO of PreZero Netherlands.
An Important Step Towards Sustainable Urban Logistics
Sustainable urban logistics is a key pillar within PreZero’s ambitions.
“As a promoter of the circular economy, we aim to create new raw materials from waste. Because we believe in Zero Waste. In addition, we continually minimise our CO2 emissions and the number of transport movements during waste collection. The acquisition of these zero-emission vehicles aligns well with this,” indicates Iwan te Winkel.
“I am proud of the steps PreZero is taking. Municipalities are working towards emission-free city centres by 2025. These objectives are firmly in our sights. We are doing everything possible to make our fleet more sustainable, and we are looking at smart logistical solutions, as the cleanest kilometre is, after all, the one you don’t drive,” he adds.
One of the smart logistical solutions that Iwan te Winkel refers to is Green Collective, an initiative that assists municipalities in creating cleaner and safer city centres.
“We achieve this by combining our routes with those of other collection companies and collecting commercial waste with a vehicle bearing the Green Collective logo,” he states.
Another example is return logistics. In this case, vans that drive into the city return waste from businesses in the city centre.
They deliver it to a hub at the city’s edge, where PreZero takes over.
Additionally, the company participates in an international project where it gains experience in collecting waste with hydrogen-powered vehicles.
“These are wonderful, sustainable initiatives aimed at reducing transport movements and emissions,” indicates Iwan te Winkel.