Think “George Jetson” meets “Roc” (the cool trash-guy from the TV show). An electric trash truck is not as exciting as a Tesla Model S, but it’s pretty darn practical.
The first electric trash truck was put into service in the United States in 2014 in The City of Chicago. It was designed by Motiv Power Systems, the maker of electric vehicles for the US Postal Service, Bimbo Bakery, UPS and more. That’s not so long ago, compared to an electric vehicle. Would it surprise you if the first electric vehicle was invented over 100 years ago? Okay, how about 190 years ago? Mind blown yet?
It’s true. According to Car and Driver, the first electric vehicles came before internal-combustion vehicles. In the 1830’s, Robert Anderson, of Scotland, built a battery operated, motorized carriage. Then in 1837, another Scot, Robert Davidson of Aberdeen, build a prototype electric locomotive.
The real challenge, in terms of entry into the market, was and is, cost. It’s an immense investment. There are other challenges as well. First, the charging-needs of these vehicle(s). Second, the need to have increased range (how long a charge lasts). Lastly, the need to have inventory readily available and serviceable within close proximity to homes and businesses.
It was commercial and municipal use that would kick-off the implementation of electric vehicles in the US. Corporations and planning commissions have the necessity to fleet-plan and develop long-term budgeting. Once in play at a corporate/municipal level, the buy-in mindset came naturally in the non-commercial sector. Hence, the introduction to the electric trash truck.
Mack Truck makes the LR Electric refuse model right here in Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley. With a price tag of $500,000.00 (no typo there), it’s priced nearly twice as much its diesel-powered sister. However, fuel costs, which can easily run waste management companies over $40,000 annually per vehicle, would be eliminated.
The testing of these vehicles on a broad spectrum is providing some exciting benefits for companies; not the least of which is lower maintenance costs and lower labor expenses (think time spent prepping vehicles, running them in at a stand-still, fueling them, etc.).
Price-point certainly bars entry to the market by many companies. Over time, that may change. A switch-over to “exclusively” anything would be a real challenge; the largest majority of vehicles on the road will still be “fueled” for many years to come. However, electric-hybrid vehicles, such as public transportation buses, school buses and personal vehicles, were once not even considered. Now, they represent a 71% increase in sales over the 2017-18 calendar year. GM will be introducing 20 new electric-hybrid models before 2023. Before you know it, commercial fleets may see the same momentum.
For information about the some of the most recent grants awarded for electric trash trucks, see Wilmington, North Carolina’s DERA (Department of Environmental Quality Diesel Emissions Reduction Grant) and Ocala, Florida’s receipt of $777,000 from the US Environmental Protection Agency.