First All-Electric Garbage Truck Hits the Road in Chicago

According to a recent press release from Motiv Power Systems, the company producing the electric powered garbage trucks, Chicago is the first city in North America to employ an Electric Refuse Vehicle (ERV). The city of Chicago is estimated to save 2,688 gallons a year through this switch by running the ERV along routes of up to 60 miles.

David Reynolds, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Fleet and Facility Management, reported that 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."

The ERV was built with specifications according to the city of Chicago, including a "60 mile range, a payload capacity of nine tons and 1000 pounds per cubic yard of compaction... To supply enough electricity to move the truck and power the hydraulics all day, the ERV is equipped with 200 kilowatt-hours of energy, in ten battery packs. Full charge time is 8 hours using the Motiv Universal Fast Charger."