New Way, BYD deliver 3 battery-electric refuse trucks to city of Ocala, Florida

New Way Trucks, Scranton, Iowa, and its distributor, Southern Sewer Equipment Sales (SSES), Fort Pierce, Florida, recently delivered three battery-electric New Way Sidewinder XTR automated side loaders (ASLs) to the city of Ocala, Florida. Mounted on the BYD electric platform, the three ASLs mark one of, if not the largest, one-time deliveries of battery-electric refuse trucks in North America, New Way says.

“New Way continues to lead the industry in battery-electric vehicle (BEV) refuse applications and currently has more BEVs in service today than any of its competitors,” Don Ross, vice president of sales and marketing for New Way, says. “These New Way BEVs are working and on route every day in both traditional rear-load (RL) and ASL configurations. New Way continues to gain momentum with several units on order in various configurations, some of which will mount on next-generation platforms.

“New Way Trucks is proud to help drive the industry forward by manufacturing environmentally sustainable refuse equipment for our customers,” Mike McLaughlin, CEO of New Way Trucks, says. “As a leader and steward of innovation in refuse truck body manufacturing, it is up to us to forge a new way forward that includes an emphasis on sustainability.”

The city of Ocala is among the first municipalities to adopt BEV refuse technology in the country. Ocala received an EPA grant to replace heavy-duty diesel-fueled trucks with zero-emission BEVs and chose to partner with New Way and BYD, which has U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles. Deploying the units will result in fuel cost savings, reduced diesel emissions and operational efficiencies.

Despite pandemic supply chain issues, New Way was able to complete the bodies and upfitting, allowing SSES to deliver the three New Way BEVs in July 2021 as requested. The units are now helping service residential routes following an outdoor media day hosted by the city of Ocala’s Public Works Sanitation Division on Aug. 18.

“Incorporating alternative fuel delivery systems into our refuse collection bodies continues to be a focus,” New Way Executive Vice President Johnathon McLaughlin says. “New Way was among the first to integrate hybrid drive systems into refuse trucks when first introduced, and later, compressed natural gas. Now, New Way is proud to help set the industry standard in the integration of battery-electric refuse equipment.”