Electric Refuse and Recycling Collection: Moving Towards a Clean, Quiet, and Efficient Future for Communities

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): As municipalities and businesses increasingly prioritize sustainability and seek efficient operational solutions, electric refuse and recycling collection vehicles (eRCVs) offer a promising path forward. These vehicles can reduce emissions during use, help control noise pollution, lower total cost of ownership and enhance the overall quality of life for communities. While transitioning to an electric fleet involves careful planning and investment, eRCVs’ benefits make a compelling case for this shift.

Reducing Noise for a More Peaceful Community
One of the immediate advantages of eRCVs is the significant reduction in noise pollution as compared to traditional refuse collection trucks powered by internal combustion engines. Traditional refuse collection trucks can generate substantial noise, which can be disruptive during early-morning or late-night routes in residential areas. Electric refuse and recycling collection vehicles operate quietly, with low noise levels. While the hydraulic arm used to lift containers still makes some sound, the absence of engine noise transforms the overall auditory experience, enabling collection times to be more flexible.

Quiet operation not only enhances the quality of life for residents, but can also improve operator comfort. The low noise in the cab can help create a more relaxed environment, which can contribute to decreased operator fatigue over long shifts, and increase operator retention. The vehicles can be so quiet that some communities have voiced that one doesn’t readily hear them coming. As a result, some eRCVs can be equipped with an “approach” sound to counteract this and make the eRCV audible.

Achieving Cost Efficiency Through Lower Operating Costs
Switching to eRCVs presents an opportunity for projected cost savings over the vehicle’s lifecycle, primarily by reducing fuel and maintenance costs. Demo units have shown electric trucks can lower daily operating expenses substantially, largely by eliminating the need for diesel fuel. Many electric refuse and recycling collection vehicles also have fewer components requiring routine maintenance—such as exhaust systems, oil changes and emissions systems—than their combustion-engine counterparts.

Having fewer parts to maintain extends to the drivetrain as well, as eRCVs typically consist of simpler electric drives and battery systems rather than the complex machinery needed in internal combustion engines (ICEs). The shift away from traditional fuel sources and intricate mechanical systems is expected to contribute to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over time, a critical factor for municipalities seeking financially sound solutions for fleet management.

Enhanced Efficiency and Environmental Impact
The environmental impacts of eRCVs are a key driver for their adoption, especially as municipalities and private waste collection companies work to meet ambitious carbon reduction goals. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation accounts for about 28 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Refuse and recycling collection vehicles in the United States alone are estimated to have contributed 251 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in a single year, according to a 2015 study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Transitioning to zero-emissions vehicles can help manage the environmental footprint and help communities address air quality and climate change challenges.

Additionally, eRCVs help contribute to efficiency in several ways. Features like regenerative braking convert kinetic energy back into stored battery power, which reclaims energy use and maximizes route range.

Various government mandates and incentives encourage the adoption of zero-emission refuse vehicles. Programs such as the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleets rule require the transition to zero-emission refuse vehicles by 2040 in California, setting a precedent that other states are following. The CARB Hybrid and Zero Emission Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) offers purchase vouchers for certified zero-emission vehicles, and similar programs in other states, including New York, Colorado and Massachusetts, providing financial support to ease the transition for fleet operators.

Incentives also extend to the development of charging infrastructure, which is essential for supporting electric fleets. Collaborating with electric utilities and infrastructure providers is critical in the planning phase, as fleet owners must account for future fleet expansion and charging capacity. Identifying an infrastructure partner early can make this process smoother, ensuring that operational demands are met and any utility requirements or permits are addressed in advance.

Simplifying Maintenance with Streamlined Designs
The design of electric refuse and recycling collection vehicles often simplifies routine maintenance and helps control overall downtime. For example, a single, full-height panel that houses essential components, makes pre-trip inspections and routine checks convenient and accessible. This ease of maintenance is crucial for fleet operators who want to minimize time out of service and ensure consistent performance.

Electric vehicle systems generally generate substantial heat, requiring robust cooling solutions. The design of some electric vehicles centralize these systems, making them easy to access and maintain. With fewer moving parts, the need for regular inspections and repairs can be minimized, which helps control labor and maintenance costs. These design efficiencies streamline fleet operations and contribute to the long-term viability of eRCVs in demanding collection routes.

Electric Power Take-Off (ePTO) System: A Step Toward Sustainability Goals
Beyond the advantages of full electric propulsion, McNeilus’ ePTO technology enables the efficient operation of key components, such as the lifting and compacting mechanisms, without relying on auxiliary batteries. While standard integrations run the risk of drawing too much power from the battery, an ePTO solution uses energy efficiently and can extend the operational hours of the truck on a single charge.

A Cleaner, Quieter, and More Sustainable Future
Electric refuse and recycling collection vehicles represent an opportunity for municipalities and businesses to advance their goals on environmental sustainability, cost savings and community quality of life. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions during use, managing noise pollution and delivering operational efficiencies, eRCVs are proving to be a powerful tool in the transition toward a clean, quiet and efficient future for waste collection.

As the adoption of eRCVs accelerates, companies and municipalities must consider the environmental benefits and the strategic advantages these vehicles bring to their fleets. With supportive government incentives, the transition to electric refuse and recycling collection vehicles is becoming more accessible than ever. Whether driven by regulatory requirements, operational efficiencies, or sustainability goals, the shift toward eRCVs offers an attractive path forward for both communities and fleet operators alike.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com