Electric mobility also comes to the rescue in garbage collection in cities. An American zero-emissions vehicle production company Nikola has won its first mega-order for 2,500 battery-electric garbage trucks from Republic Services, the second-largest garbage disposal company in the United States. The deal has an option for 2,500 additional trucks, bringing the potential total to 5,000 units.
The manufacturer promises quieter urban waste management with vehicles that will improve the performance of their diesel and natural gas engine counterparts.
On-road testing of Nikola’s first municipal waste collection and recycling trucks will begin in 2022, with full production scheduled to begin shortly thereafter that will be incorporated into the Republic Services vehicle fleet from 2023.
The refuse trucks have been developed on the basis of the Nikola Tre platform. It is equipped with a mega-battery with a capacity of 720 kWh. The electric platform is expected to last up to 150 miles (241 km), while the powertrain will be software limited to 1,000 HP. The company estimates that the vehicle has enough power to carry out up to 1,200 dumpster emptying operations on a single charge.
According to Nikola, its new platform can give refuse trucks nearly three-times the horsepower of natural gas and diesel options, giving operators the ability to go up hills with full loads without issue. Also, using electric garbage trucks will result in a much quieter and emission-free refuse collection experience.
By sharing the Tre platform, Nikola can reduce the cost of both programs by using the same parts. Automated side loaders, as well as front loaders, are provided for the garbage segment. No more details of the novelty have been announced yet, but Nikola is expected to drop some information about possible configurations later this year.
“This is a game-changer,” said Nikola CEO, Mark Russell. “Refuse truck customers have always ordered chassis from truck OEMs and bodies from other suppliers. Nikola has fully integrated the chassis and body, covering both with a single factory warranty. Trucks will include both automated side loaders and front-end loaders – all of which will be zero-emission.”