Mack sells two EV trucks to Canadian city

The city of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, has ordered two of its LR Electric battery-electric vehicle (BEV) collection truck models from Greensboro, North Carolina-based Mack Trucks, representing the first BEV trucks in the city’s refuse fleet.

“Mack is excited that the city of Kingston opted to order two Mack LR Electric vehicles to help assist them in attaining their sustainability targets,” says Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “Mack offers a total ecosystem of support, from grant writing and infrastructure to financing. We remain committed to helping our customers adopt this zero-emissions technology.”

“We are currently targeting reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 percent by 2030,” adds Brent Fowler, director of corporate asset management and fleet for the city of Kingston. “The LR Electric refuse vehicles are one of multiple strategies the city is leveraging to work toward the achievement of these goals.”

The Mack LR Electric refuse vehicles also will be the city’s first collection trucks to have an automated side loader (ASL) used for cart-based collection, Mack says. City leaders plan to transition the town’s fleet to ASLs during the next five years to help improve operator safety and efficiency, according to the truck maker.

“We are excited for the opportunity to utilize the electric refuse trucks as some of our first ASL vehicles,” says Karen Santucci, director of public works and solid waste for the city of Kingston. “Increased safety for staff combined with a more environmentally friendly truck offer benefits to both our staff and our residents.”

Kingston’s fleet currently includes 14 waste collection trucks, seven recycling collection trucks and two medium-duty packers.

The city also is purchasing two portable 50kW Heliox chargers through Mack, and they have a 150kW DC fast-charger option at a city transit bus depot.

Mack's LR Electric model has twin electric motors that can produce 448 continuous horsepower and four nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) lithium-ion batteries. A two-stage regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle makes each day with an increasing load, according to Mack.

Fowler says Kingston purchased the Mack LR Electric model for multiple reasons, including availability of local dealer support, Mack’s participation in the Canoe/Sourcewell Group procurement programs and the comprehensive Mack Ultra Service Maintenance Agreement offering.

Surgenor Truck Centre of Kingston, along with the city's in-house fleet maintenance staff, will collaborate on service for and support of the tow new trucks, according to Mack Trucks.