Electrification of our recycling vehicles

The extensive range of vehicles produced by Terberg Matec UK are all aimed at one cornerstone of sustainable life: recycling. Ultimately, we recycle for environmental reasons so the next, logical step is to ensure that our vehicles are as environmentally friendly as possible. And the first and biggest step towards that has been taken in the last year: the launch of the all-electric Kerbloader EV. This new vehicle is based on the tried and tested multi-stream recycling vehicle the Kerbloader, which has been the market-leader in this niche for several years as a diesel-powered truck.

It collects up to seven different waste streams and keeps them safely separate, just like the original Kerbloader, with overall payloads of around 3.2 tonnes.

Sustainable features

It’s robust, easy to load, unload and discharge and it is safe. And the Kerbloader EV retains all the credentials of the original vehicle. These include:

• High grade stainless steel and composite GRP board making it corrosion-free.

• The automated plastic and can-press system and heavy-duty card-press significantly improves payload and efficiency.

• A noise-reducing system is fitted to the glass collection compartments.

• Glass is unloaded at the rear to reduce the risk of tyre-shredding.

• Discharge of materials is controlled from inside the cab which is both quicker and safer for the driver and crew.

• Stillages are removed with a fork-lift truck to avoid the ‘pushing-and-pulling injuries associated with manual handling.

• LED lighting illuminates the working area for safety and efficiency.

• LEDs in internal compartments help avoid crosscontamination.

• A colour HMI touchscreen in the cab provides the interface for the vehicle and diagnostics systems.

The result is a highly efficient and manoeuvrable onepass recycling vehicle.

Collections with zero emissions

The body has been engineered to create a carefully integrated interface with an electric chassis. Everything that was powered by the diesel engine now comes from zero-emissions electric battery power.

By producing no exhaust gases, the Kerbloader EV will not only help local authorities and other operators reduce their carbon footprint but also meet increasingly urgent air pollution targets.

The electric motor is also much quieter than the diesel engine. Reduced noise means collections can be made from sensitive locations at different times without causing disturbance. And better acceleration and torque can speed up collections to further increase operational efficiency.

Heralding an electric future

The Kerbloader EV was extensively and successfully trialled in 2022. The first orders have since been received and the vehicles are currently being built.

The arrival of the Kerbloader EV means that as diesel engines are gradually phased out, the future of one-pass recycling is now assured. And it doesn’t end there.

The other recycling vehicles in Terberg Matec UK’s range include: the PBUV, the ORUS, the ABTL and the TopLoader. Between them, they cover all the main waste streams, collection regimes and operators’ needs in the UK. And plans to produce electric versions of them are already at an advanced stage.