The new fleet will begin arriving in March 2025, and will replace a combination of outdated council-owned vehicles, many of which are beyond their operational lifespan, and hired vehicles currently in use. This will enhance the reliability and consistency of waste collection services for residents across the city.
The contract comprises 110 of Dennis Eagle's Elite+ truck, alongside 41 compact and efficient 7.5T Orus trucks for organic waste collection. It specifies a number of ‘narrow’ chassis variants of the Elite+ – the reduced width minimising contact with the kerb or parked cars helping to reduce associated tyre and insurance costs.
A fleet designed for Birmingham’s needs
The vehicles have been designed to meet the needs of Birmingham’s road infrastructure. A variety of sizes will ensure the fleet can navigate the city’s varying road layouts efficiently.
While diesel-powered, all vehicles comply with the latest emissions standards and align with Birmingham’s air quality objectives, ensuring they are compliant with the city’s Clean Air Zone parameters.
Enhanced safety and crew comfort
The new vehicles come equipped with advanced safety features, including a camera system to improve crew visibility and operational safety while working on Birmingham’s streets. Additionally, the vehicles feature low-level access points to make ingress and egress safer and easier, reducing the risk of crew injuries and enhancing overall working conditions.
Councillor Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "This investment demonstrates our commitment to providing reliable and efficient waste collection services to the people of Birmingham. By replacing outdated vehicles with a state-of-the-art fleet, we are not only improving the working conditions for our crews but also taking a step towards a more sustainable future with vehicles that meet stringent emissions standards. We are proud to partner with Dennis Eagle, a trusted name in the industry, to deliver on this promise."
Richard Taylor, sales and marketing at Dennis Eagle, said: "We’ve worked hard with the team at Birmingham City Council to support its needs with dependable, versatile and safe trucks. Our purpose-built refuse collection vehicles play an essential role in ensuring bins are collected week in, week out from homes and businesses across the city."
The procurement of these vehicles supports the council’s broader goals of improving waste management and environmental sustainability.
The production of the Elite+ refuse collection vehicle – plus bodies and final assembly of the Orus truck – will take place at Dennis Eagle’s Warwick factory.
