Electric Scooters for Waste Collection Launched in Samarkand
2025-08-21 11:45:00 / News
To showcase ongoing initiatives in the field of waste management using the Samarkand region as an example, the Waste Management and Circular Economy Development Agency under the Ministry of Ecology organized a press tour on August 21–22.
At the start of the event, participants were introduced to the system for the efficient use of equipment in sanitation services, which has been implemented experimentally in the city of Samarkand. The system was launched in the “Koshkhovuz” and “Urguti” mahallas.
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In the mahallas of the old part of the city, waste collection is carried out using electric scooters. Each mahalla is assigned two vehicles—a total of 70 scooters—which transport waste daily to transfer stations. Currently, 30 of them have started operating in the two mahallas mentioned. This pilot project is also being implemented in Bukhara and Khorezm, and it is planned to gradually expand the system to all urban areas of the republic by 2030.
It should be noted that these special electric scooters used for waste collection offer several advantages compared to larger vehicles:
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Their purchase cost is 27 times lower (32 million soums);
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They have a capacity of 1.5–3 tons, ensuring compactness, convenience, and sufficient load capacity;
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Annual expenses amount to 66 million soums, which is 14 times cheaper;
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Fuel consumption is 26 liters (60 m³/km), which is five times more economical;
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Daily mileage reaches 80 km;
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Each area is serviced once or twice a day.
In addition, these vehicles are designed for separate waste collection, which is a key advantage. Each mahalla is serviced 1–2 times a day: waste is collected, delivered to a transfer station, and sorted for recycling. Non-recyclable waste is then transported to a landfill for disposal.
Overall, pilot testing of this system is planned in 1,860 mahallas located in the central parts of cities and districts across 14 regions of the country.
In short, the electric scooters stand out for their efficiency, low cost, and high coverage, while promoting separate waste collection and sustainable waste management practices.