Early morning bin collections could get a lot quieter as the first electric waste lorry is being trialled in Manchester.

The truck will be tested across all ten of the city's boroughs over the next sixth months.

It will run using a battery engine - making it better for the environment and 'practically silent'.

Waste management company Biffa is working with Manchester City Council to trial the new lorry in a bid to replace all diesel refuge vehicles in the future.

The quietness of the new trucks could allow bin collections to be made later on at night instead of in rush-hour morning traffic.

It would also help improve air quality across the city as a zero-emission vehicle.

As Manchester is Biffa's biggest city contract, the truck will be tried and tested here before it's rolled out nationwide.

Full analysis will take place to test the truck's speed and storage capabilities.

If the trial is a success, the company hope to roll out the scheme across the UK in line with the government pledge to ban diesel engines by 2040.

Mark Hodgson, general manager at Biffa's Manchester site, said: “Biffa are extremely pleased to be working with the council to trial this innovative technology.

Read more of today's top stories here

“The truck doesn’t release any emissions into the atmosphere and is practically silent, meaning a much healthier, cleaner, and quieter city for inhabitants.

"And hopefully in the future – if the trial is successful - the quietness of the new electric trucks will allow collections to be made later on in the evening, tackling the issue of congestion during morning rush-hour traffic.”

Coun Angeliki Stogia, executive member for the environment, planning and transport at Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester has a plan to take urgent action on climate change and become a carbon neutral city by 2038.

"To meet this ambitious goal, we need partners from across all sectors of the city's life to contribute and reduce emissions wherever possible.

"A willingness to use new technologies such low or zero-emission vehicles will be essential and so we are leading the way by hosting this trial scheme, which has the potential to see diesel vehicles replaced with much cleaner alternatives."

Contact us

Got a story or an issue you want us to investigate? Want to tell us about something going on where you live?

Let us know - in complete confidence - by emailing newsdesk@men-news.co.uk, calling us on 0161 211 2920, tweeting us @MENnewsdesk or messaging us on our Facebook page. You can also send us a story tip using the form here.

Join the Manchester Evening News breaking news Facebook group for a place to read and talk about breaking news in Greater Manchester.

To download our app to get all the latest news visit here.