Cambridge Rolls Out First Fully Electric Waste Collection Truck, Advances Toward Zero-Emission Fleet Goal

Residents of Cambridge can now spot a new, greener vehicle rolling through their neighborhoods on trash day. In a move toward a more sustainable city, Cambridge has introduced the first fully electric Mack LR Electric trash collection truck to its municipal fleet, as reported by the

City of Cambridge

. This step echoes the city’s mission to achieve a 100% zero-emission solid waste collection fleet by June 30, 2035.

The initiative underscores Cambridge’s broader climate action plans, aiming to reduce harmful emissions and vehicular pollution, with the city successfully securing funding for three additional electric waste collection trucks that they plan to roll out by early 2025, an article by the Public Works Department indicates. Public Works Commissioner Kathy Watkins conveyed excitement over the fleet’s expansion, stating, “Waste collection is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Cambridge, so transitioning these heavy-duty diesel vehicles to electric was a logical step toward our goal of eliminating fossil fuels,” as per

City of Cambridge

.

These electric trucks don’t just represent an innovation in waste management but also stand to benefit the air quality. With each truck boasting a 376-kWh battery capacity, these emission-free vehicles cut down on tailpipe pollution and those pervasive particulate emissions. John Keeter, Fleet Manager for the

Cambridge Department of Public Works

, emphasized the city’s dedication to meticulously researching suitable vehicles for its narrow streets; after learning from the New York City Department of Sanitation’s experiences with an LR Electric demo model, the city was assured of the truck’s compatibility with local waste collection needs.

Support for Cambridge’s shift to electric vehicles extends beyond municipal decision-making, reaching into state and federal assistance programs, such as the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program, which provided substantial rebates and grants toward the procurement of these green machines, Keeter told

City of Cambridge

. Reinforcing the trucks’ daily readiness are two DC fast chargers that the city has installed, ensuring a seamless integration into the regular waste collection routines that residents have come to expect.

The city’s residents are encouraged to watch for these quiet, zero-emission trucks which represent a tangible stride toward a greener future—a future where the simple act of disposing of one’s garbage no longer has to contribute to the very environmental problems the community is working to alleviate.

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