A sweeper proves its value in day-to-day operations. In Amsterdam, this means working across a wide range of areas, completing full shifts and remaining available when demand on street-cleaning services is particularly high.
Ready for a Full Working Day
“The eCleango sweepers can operate throughout the entire day without needing to recharge in between,” says Erik van Eig, Fleet Sustainability Lead and Coordinator of the Transition Plan for Depots and Transfer Stations at the City of Amsterdam.
According to Van Eig, replacing diesel-powered sweepers with the electric machines has therefore had very little impact on regular sweeping operations.
“For the City of Amsterdam, it is important that daily activities can continue without major adjustments. After all, the working area and the amount of litter and debris do not change. The deployment of the sweepers is coordinated with the available charging and unloading facilities.”
“At events such as King’s Day and Pride, the amount of waste in certain parts of the city increases significantly. During these busy periods, both our organisation and our machines are put under considerable pressure. It is precisely at these moments that availability, capacity and continuity are essential.”
Positive Feedback from Operators
“Our operators enjoy working with the machines. They especially appreciate the lower noise level while driving,” says Van Eig. “The quieter drive system improves operator comfort and is also noticeable in the urban environment.”
The City of Amsterdam works with dedicated operators wherever possible, allowing them to become familiar with the machine and gain experience through daily use. The operators were given an extensive introduction to the eCleango 550, followed by dedicated training. At the same time, they were able to continue carrying out their daily work in the familiar way.
“Compared with the diesel-powered Cleango 550, virtually nothing has changed in terms of sweeping performance or day-to-day deployment. That was something the operators had been concerned about beforehand,” says Van Eig.
The combination of familiar sweeping performance and increased comfort has contributed to a positive initial experience. Although the operators initially needed time to become accustomed to their new machine and to electric driving and sweeping, they now assess the eCleango 550 primarily on what matters in practice: a machine that performs well and is comfortable to operate.
Learning Together During the Transition
“The electrification of street cleaning is a process in which technology, charging infrastructure, training and service all come together. Our initial experiences in Amsterdam show that electric sweeping can become a fully integrated part of daily urban cleaning operations,” says Van Eig.
For Aebi Schmidt, providing appropriate support remains essential. By carefully aligning the machines, training programmes and operational agreements with day-to-day requirements, the City of Amsterdam and Aebi Schmidt can continue working together towards quieter, cleaner and more sustainable street cleaning.
Want to learn more about the Schmidt eCleango 550?