15-05-2025
Sutton's new 'electric' street sweepers that will actually run on diesel
New 'electric" street sweepers will actually run on diesel, Sutton Council has admitted.
Last month, the local authority posted to X revealing a new fleet of road sweepers would soon be taking to the borough's streets.
The post read: 'GREENER - New electric street cleaning vehicles and new waste and recycling collection vehicles powered by more sustainable fuel.
'Just some of the ways the Council will take action on climate change and increase recycling rates in Sutton.'
GREENER - New electric street cleaning vehicles and new waste and recycling collection vehicles powered by more sustainable fuel. Just some of the ways the Council will take action on climate change and increase recycling rates in Sutton.♻️
— Sutton Council (@SuttonCouncil) April 4, 2025
However, after a Freedom of Information (FoI) request about the new road sweepers, the council has now admitted that the vehicles are not electric after all, but instead run on diesel.
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The local authority said that its waste contractor Veolia has purchased seven Hako Citymaster mechanical sweepers, confirming that they 'are currently fuelled by diesel'.
But despite the apparent error, the council has stood by their original social media post.
'The council did not claim diesel vehicles are electric and there was no mix-up on the social media post,' the local authority claimed in its FoI response.
'The new Sutton waste and street cleaning contract includes a mixed fleet, including electric vehicles such as the Citroen Berlingo van and the electric trike which were pictured, as well as diesel vehicles that can run on fuels such as recycled vegetable oil.'
When approached by Your Local Guardian for a response, the council declined to comment further.
