Electric Garbage Trucks
Refuse collection trucks are among the most iconic and essential municipal fleet vehicles, operating daily in neighborhoods worldwide. Traditionally powered by diesel, they contribute disproportionately to local emissions, noise, and operating costs due to constant stop-start duty cycles and heavy hydraulic systems. Electrification offers strong benefits: quieter operations in residential areas, zero tailpipe emissions, lower maintenance, and potential lifecycle cost savings. Cities in Europe, North America, and Asia are piloting and scaling deployments, supported by OEMs such as Mack, BYD, Volvo, Lion Electric, and Dennis Eagle.
Segment Taxonomy
Electric refuse trucks fall into several key body and operational types, all of which are moving toward electrification.
| Segment | Primary Use | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-Loader Trucks | Residential collection with manual or semi-automated loading. | Mack LR Electric; BYD 8R; Lion Electric Lion8 Refuse. |
| Side-Loader Trucks | Automated arm loading of bins for residential routes. | BYD electric side-loader; New Way/Scranton EV pilot. |
| Front-Loader Trucks | Commercial and multi-unit collection with large bins/dumpsters. | Volvo FE Electric Refuse; Dennis Eagle eCollect. |
| Specialty / Industrial Trucks | Airport, industrial, or specialized waste handling. | BYD custom bodies; electric hook-lift systems. |
Electric garbage trucks
| Make | BEV Model |
|---|---|
| Battle Motors | Curbtender Quantum |
| BYD | 8R |
| DAF | CF Electric |
| Mack | LR Electric |
| Peterbilt | Model 520EV |
Spotlight: Mack LR Electric
The Mack LR Electric has become one of the flagship electric refuse trucks in North America. It features twin electric motors, up to 448 kWh of battery capacity, and supports both rear- and side-loader body configurations. Deployed in cities such as New York and Raleigh, it demonstrates the viability of electric refuse trucks in dense urban environments with stop-start duty cycles.
- Twin electric motors deliver 536 hp and 4,051 lb-ft of torque
- 448 kWh battery provides up to 70–100 miles, suitable for urban routes
- Supports DC fast charging up to 150 kW
- Integrated regenerative braking reduces brake wear in stop-start cycles
Charging & Energy Considerations
Refuse trucks operate predictable daily routes, returning to depots each shift. Batteries typically range from 300–500 kWh to handle 8–10 hours of operation. Depot-based DC fast charging is the norm, often supported by managed charging software and renewable microgrids.
| Use Case | Charging Strategy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Routes | Depot overnight DC charging (100–150 kW typical). | Sufficient for daily stop-start neighborhood operations. |
| Commercial / Industrial Routes | Depot charging with mid-shift DC top-ups for longer runs. | Higher payloads require larger packs or charging flexibility. |
| Large Fleets | Depot hubs with solar + BESS integration. | Manages peak demand and reduces utility costs. |
Technology Stack
Electric refuse trucks combine heavy-duty EV drivetrains with electrified hydraulic and body systems. Reliability and endurance are crucial, given the demanding duty cycles.
| Layer | Examples | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain & Motors | Dual electric motors, regenerative braking systems | Deliver high torque for heavy payloads and stop-start cycles |
| Battery Systems | 300–500 kWh lithium-ion packs | Support 8–10 hours of daily refuse operations |
| Hydraulics & Implements | Electrified hydraulic pumps, arms, loaders | Power waste handling mechanisms without diesel PTOs |
| Charging Infrastructure | Depot-based DC fast charging (100–250 kW) | Enables reliable daily fleet readiness |
| Digital Systems | Fleet telematics, route optimization, predictive maintenance | Optimize uptime and reduce total cost of ownership |
Market Outlook
Electric refuse trucks are gaining momentum in cities worldwide. Their predictable routes, strong municipal mandates, and public visibility make them an ideal electrification target. North America and Europe are scaling first, with Asia following through pilot programs. Rear- and side-loaders are leading adoption, while front-loaders and specialty vehicles lag slightly due to higher payload demands.
| Rank | Adoption Segment | Drivers | Constraints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear-Loader Trucks | Most common residential fleet type; strong urban mandates. | Battery pack size limits full-day coverage in some cases. |
| 2 | Side-Loader Trucks | Automated efficiency; suitable for suburban communities. | Integration with existing bin systems required. |
| 3 | Front-Loader Trucks | Commercial waste hauling potential; large emission savings. | Heavier payloads and duty cycles demand larger packs. |
| 4 | Specialty / Industrial | Niche operations (airports, industrial campuses). | Low volumes; highly customized builds. |
