Parkville cleaning buggies and street sweepers go electric
The University of Melbourne’s commitment to sustainability extends to its operations and network of contractors.
Vehicles used to clean and sweep the campus now produce zero exhaust emissions. The fleet of cleaning buggies and street sweepers employed by DTMF Group on the Parkville campus became 100% electric in February 2021.
These vehicles have replaced fossil-fuel powered vehicles and remove associated exhaust emissions from the campus, while operating more efficiently in order to deliver high-quality cleaning services.
Using one electric street sweeper or buggy saves up to 80mg of nitrogen oxide per kilometre in comparison to a combustible fuel-powered equivalent vehicle. By converting their fleet to electric, DTMF Group have saved an estimated 608 000 mg of nitrogen oxide emissions from entering the atmosphere per year, based on average yearly distance covered.
The vehicles meet the University’s targets to lower on-campus emissions while providing a quieter alternative, improving work efficiency as vehicles can operate on campus during the day without disrupting learning activities.
The vehicles also reduce harmful air pollution from exhaust emissions, delivering cleaner air for the environment.
As the University’s specialised cleaning contractor since 2016, DTMF Group also provide specialised cleaning services to University laboratories, car parks, common areas and offices on campus, and follow waste reduction practices, including reusing chemical containers, microfibre cloths and mops.
For more information on how the University is reducing its operational emissions, visit Energy projects on campus.
