All-electric garbage truck cleans up

America's first all-electric garbage truck is helping keep Chicago clean and proving a viable alternative to a traditional diesel equivalent

Garbage collection in Chicago, USA, recently got a whole lot 'cleaner', with the City of Chicago now utilising America's first – and so far only – all-electric garbage truck.

Designed by California-based Motiv Power Systems and dubbed the Electric Refuse Vehicle, or ERV, the battery-powered machine is plying the Windy City's streets and saving authorities the expense of an estimated 2688 gallons (10,175 litres) of diesel each year.

Motiv Power Systems worked with the city's existing garbage truck design to incorporate its plug-and-play electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS), producing an all-electric version that will collect rubbish over routes of up to 60 miles (96 kilometres).

The vehicle draws its power from 10 battery packs able to provide a total of 200 kilowatt hours of energy – enough to enable afford the 60-mile range, a nine-tonne payload, and compaction capability of 1000 pounds per cubic yard (593kg per cubic metre).

The truck itself sees the ePCS power system integrated with a Crane Carrier chassis fitted with a Loadmaster refuse truck body. According to Motive's Vice President Business Development, John Knudtson, there are many benefits to working with existing designs.

"By developing our electric trucks in collaboration with existing diesel truck manufacturers, we build vehicles that are just as tough and capable as the diesel versions these partners build," he said.

"We are leveraging the expertise of existing truck manufacturers. They can offer electric options of their existing trucks to their existing customers and service them with their existing infrastructure. The Chicago ERV is illustrative of this unique business model and is applicable throughout the US in many different truck segments."

Motive Power System won the contract for the electric garbage truck in 2012.

In a press statement issued by Motive Power Systems, David Reynolds – Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Fleet and Facility Management – said the city would be monitoring the ERV's progress with great interest.

"We are constantly looking to modernise and improve the City’s fleet operations through environmentally conscious choices," he said.

"The 'City in a Garden' is proud to be home to North America’s first all-electric refuse and recycling truck, and we look forward to examining how this truck can boost efficiency, reduce emissions and save tax payer dollars in the future."

Motiv founder and CEO, Jim Castelaz, said there were many benefits to the ERV's design.

"Besides dramatically lower fuel and maintenance cost, the value of the ERV goes beyond strict payback," he said.

"Each truck offsets over 55 barrels of petroleum and 23 tons of carbon dioxide each year. Plus, no one wants large, noisy truck engines idling next to their house at 6.00am when they could have clean, and quieter ERVs keeping the morning peace instead."

Should the ERV prove successful, Motiv Power Systems says the city could purchase up to 20 such vehicles within the exclusive five-year purchase order. The purchase of the first ERV was realised through grant from the US Department of Energy.

All-electric garbage truck cleans up

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