Vacation in Progress and Today's Garbage Collection Day. Anticipating the Moment when Only Electric Garbage Trucks Operate

Madison, Wisconsin, has made a significant stride in the realm of sustainable waste management with the introduction of its first Class 8 battery-electric vehicles – electric garbage trucks. This marks a major milestone for the state, as the city joins others in embracing cleaner, quieter, and more cost-effective refuse vehicles [1].

The city's investment in electric refuse vehicles is driven by a commitment to ambitious carbon neutrality goals for both city operations and the wider community. These electric trucks are a strategic part of Madison's plan to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier environment [1].

The nearly $675,000 price tag for the Peterbilt Model 520EV, including charging infrastructure, was eased by grants from Portland General Electric's Drive Change Fund. This financial support allows Madison to pioneer the use of electric garbage trucks without shouldering the entire cost [1].

Madison's electric garbage trucks are charged overnight at city facilities and powered by a pair of electric motors delivering over 1,000 horsepower. They can complete a full day of residential collections on a single charge, reducing fuel costs [1].

The quiet operation of electric garbage trucks is a welcome change for both operators and residents. The much quieter electric trucks make early morning pickups less disruptive for neighborhoods. Drivers report reduced fatigue and find early morning shifts more tolerable with electric garbage trucks due to reduced vibration and noise [1].

The switch to electric garbage trucks is not just about climate responsibility but also about proving the value of these trucks in real-world conditions and documenting the long-term financial benefits of lower maintenance and fuel costs [1].

Similar deployments have taken place in cities across the country, with the City of Roses Disposal & Recycling in Portland, Oregon, operating a Peterbilt Model 520EV electric garbage truck. The city of Madison, Wisconsin, has also added two Class 8 Mack LR Electric trucks to its refuse fleet, with plans for two more [1].

Electric garbage trucks offer environmental and operational benefits but challenges remain in upfront cost and driving range, though ongoing improvements in battery technology and production scale are expected to alleviate these issues [1][3]. Some operators liken driving electric garbage trucks to driving “a giant golf cart” with regenerative braking, reducing brake wear and improving efficiency [4].

There is also interest in autonomous electric garbage trucks as part of broader automation trends in trucking, with companies like Volvo exploring such applications to improve safety and efficiency [5].

As more municipalities embrace electric garbage trucks, they are likely to replace diesel garbage trucks with their quieter, cleaner, and more cost-effective counterparts. This shift towards electric garbage trucks represents a quiet revolution in how cities manage waste, signaling a shift toward cleaner streets and healthier neighborhoods.

[1] https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/electric-garbage-trucks-are-quietly-revolutionizing-waste-management [2] https://www.citylab.com/equity/2020/04/electric-trucks-are-coming-and-they-could-be-a-big-deal/615607/ [3] https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1126471_electric-trucks-battery-costs-are-falling-fast-but-challenges-remain [4] https://www.electrictrucknews.com/2020/09/24/electric-truck-operators-say-driving-electric-trucks-is-like-driving-a-giant-golf-cart/ [5] https://www.volvogroup.com/en/news/2021/04/volvo-group-partners-with-nvidia-to-accelerate-development-of-autonomous-trucks.html

Vacation in Progress and Today's Garbage Collection Day. Anticipating the Moment when Only Electric Garbage Trucks Operate