Biffa signs electrification deal with Lunaz

Waste management firm Biffa has partnered with electrification business Lunaz on retrofitting its diesel trucks with electric technology.

The deal, which will see older vehicles upcycled rather than scrapped, will assist in the zero emission powertrain transition for the firm’s large fleet.

Lunaz will undertake the work across the next decade through its proprietary upcycling and electrification process and technology. The multi-year production programme is expected to see growing numbers of vehicles delivered with an initial order of up to ten 26-tonne Upcycled Electric Vehicle (UEV) refuse trucks – saving up to 210 tonnes in embedded carbon.

In collaboration with Biffa’s technical team, 150 specialist engineers from Lunaz are developing key modifications, including the ability to tailor the size of the powertrain to a specific route profile, and safety improvements, such as the use of 360 cameras with person and cyclist detection, as well as the re-location of the handbrake.

Lunaz, based in Silverstone, England, has a capacity to up-cycle more than 1,110 industrial vehicles every year with each vehicle saving 82% in embedded carbon. The company has already committed to expanding its UK up-cycling and electrification footprint to meet 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.

Maxine Mayhew, COO Collection & Specialist Services at Biffa, said: “As the UK’s leading sustainable waste management company we are committed to enabling the circular economy while reducing emissions and carbon expenditure in every aspect of our business. 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. We are proud to work with an innovative UK company to realise the transformational power of upcycling to save thousands of tonnes of embedded carbon in our transition to clean-air refuse truck fleets.”

David Lorenz, Founder & 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, Lunaz investor, said: “This deal is a strong endorsement of Lunaz’ innovative approach to finding sustainable solutions and I’m delighted to be an investor in this fast growing and exciting British company”.

Image courtesy of Biffa

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