The future isn’t coming—it’s already here! And it’s being built at Magtec, where innovation meets action to clean up our streets, reduce emissions, and extend the life of the vehicles we rely on daily. While others talk about long-term climate goals, Magtec is delivering solutions everyday.
“Our mission is clear” says Marcus Jenkins CTO of Magtec “Transform the fleets of yesterday into the zero-emission workhorses of tomorrow—and do it at a fraction of the cost of buying new electric vehicles”.
Why Wait for the Future When You Can Repower Now?
The technology is ready, the demand is there, and the benefits are clear—now we just need the support to make the transition happen faster as government officials chew over the costs and benefits of repowering!
Meanwhile…Thousands of diesel refuse collection vehicles (RCVs), many purchased within the past decade, are heading for the scrapyard or being exported to other countries. Yet, with Magtec’s advanced engineering, these same vehicles can be repowered with state-of-the-art electric drivetrains, extending their service life by up to 15 years while slashing emissions.
A single repowered electric refuse lorry can eliminate emissions equivalent to removing 30 diesel cars from the road. These vehicles are charged overnight using off-peak electricity, making them not only cleaner but cheaper to operate—with the added potential of feeding any unused energy back to the grid, further supporting sustainability goals and potentially generating cost savings.
“Give me a five-year-old refuse truck, and I’ll turn it into an electric vehicle with another 15 years of service life,” Jenkins asserts. “Our technology enables 26-tonne RCVs to complete an entire shift on a single charge—without sacrificing payload capacity or performance.”
Cost-Effective Solutions with Immediate Impact
New electric refuse trucks come with hefty price tags, but Magtec’s repowering solutions cost less than half. For local councils and private operators striving to meet net-zero targets without breaking budgets, repowering is a smart financial decision.
In 2024 alone, over 200 Magtec-repowered electric refuse vehicles covered 1.3 million road miles. Operators aren’t just seeing environmental benefits—crews themselves report significant improvements. Quieter vehicles mean better communication on the job and cleaner air for workers, who no longer face constant exposure to tailpipe emissions.
Importantly, repowered RCVs also lead to reduced downtime and servicing costs. With fewer mechanical components compared to diesel engines, these vehicles spend less time in workshops and more time performing essential waste collection services—improving operational efficiency and reliability.
Driving Economic Growth and Job Creation
Choosing Magtec isn’t just about cutting emissions—it’s an investment in the UK economy. Repowering creates jobs not only at Magtec’s Rotherham-based facility but also throughout the entire supply chain. Every project supports British engineering, manufacturing, and local employment.
“Every repowered vehicle creates jobs and drives economic value,” Jenkins explains. “From design and engineering to installation and long-term maintenance, the ripple effect is significant.”
With a client base that includes prestigious organisations like the British Army and London’s Tootbus fleet, Magtec’s reputation for reliability and performance is well-established—and for the past six years we have used that expertise on the refuse collection sector supporting Dennis Eagle…
A Proven Solution Ready to Scale
Despite the clear benefits, broader adoption of repowering remains hindered by outdated policies and inconsistent support. Historically, diesel-powered vehicles benefited from favourable tax incentives, skewing operational costs. Only recently have repowered electric vehicles started receiving government recognition and support.
“If decisions were based purely on cost-effectiveness and environmental benefit, repowering would already be the first choice,” Jenkins states.
With tightening climate targets, deteriorating urban air quality, and mounting operational costs, the urgency to act is undeniable. Repowering isn’t a future concept—it’s a ready-to-implement solution that can be scaled up now to make an immediate impact.
Why Magtec?
- Proven Expertise: Over 30 years pioneering electric drivetrain technology.
- Cost Savings: Repowering costs less than half the price of new electric vehicles.
- Sustainability: Up to 70 tonnes of CO₂ saved per refuse vehicle annually.
