Commerce City, CO Rolling Out Fully Electric Recycling and Waste Collection Fleet

On December 31, 2025, officials in Commerce City, Colorado, reported that beginning in January, the city will deploy a fully electric recycling and waste collection fleet, marking a major step toward cleaner and more cost-effective municipal services. According to a city news release, the initiative will make Commerce City the largest city in Colorado to adopt an all-electric waste collection fleet, utilizing McNeilus Volterra electric trucks.

The rollout will occur in partnership with Republic Services, with the first phase of electric waste collection launching in January. By the end of next year, the city’s fleet will include 14 new electric trash collection vehicles. City officials say the transition is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower operational noise, and improve air quality in residential neighborhoods.

To support the shift, Commerce City has made recent investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, including the installation of advanced charging stations at Republic Services’ Commerce City facility. The city notes that waste collection is particularly well suited for electrification, as routes typically involve short distances, frequent stops and starts, and a nightly return to a central depot for charging. Republic Services has stated that it plans to make electric vehicles half of its new truck purchases by 2028.

Republic Services and City of Louisville Announced Nation’s First Fully Electric Collection Fleet in July 2024

In July 2024, Republic Services of Denver and the City of Louisville announced a partnership to replace Louisville’s residential recycling and waste collection fleet with electric trucks by the end of 2024, making Louisville the first municipality in the United States to operate a fully electric residential collection fleet. The transition supports the city’s Sustainability Action Plan and aligns with Republic Services’ goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions 35 percent by 2030.

The new fleet consists of four McNeilus Volterra electric trucks, which produce zero tailpipe emissions and incorporate advanced safety features, including 360-degree cameras, improved visibility, automated braking, lane-departure alerts, and audible warning systems for pedestrians and drivers.

“We are so proud that Louisville will be the first city in the nation with a fully electric collection fleet,” said Mayor Chris Leh. “These innovative EV collection trucks will fulfill our trash, compost and recycling needs, reduce noise pollution, and include larger windshields to increase each driver’s field of vision and lower greenhouse gas emissions, making our neighborhoods quieter, safer and healthier.

“The technology already has been proven in other cities with more challenging climates than ours. What’s more, it is cost-competitive for our taxpayers. By taking this step, Louisville is ‘walking the walk’ and helping pioneer change in the field of environmental sustainability.”

Republic Services, Inc. is a leading provider in the environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the company offers a comprehensive range of services, including recycling, solid waste collection, special waste management, hazardous waste handling, and field services. Republic Services is recognized for its industry-leading commitment to advancing circularity and supporting decarbonization, aligning with its vision to partner with customers in building a more sustainable world. Additional information is available at RepublicServices.com.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Trash Collection a Perfect Use Case for Electrification

Electrification is transforming transportation across industries, but few applications are as well suited for electric vehicles as trash and recycling collection. From predictable routes to community health benefits, waste collection checks nearly every box for successful EV deployment, making it one of the most practical and impactful use cases for fleet electrification today.

Trash trucks operate on fixed, repeatable routes with limited daily mileage. Unlike long-haul freight, collection vehicles rarely travel far from their home base and return to the same depot each day. This predictable duty cycle aligns perfectly with electric vehicle range capabilities and allows fleets to charge overnight without disrupting operations. It also eliminates range anxiety, one of the most common barriers to EV adoption in other sectors.

Stop-and-go driving is another advantage. Traditional diesel trucks are highly inefficient during frequent starts, stops, and idling. Electric trucks, by contrast, excel in this environment. Regenerative braking recaptures energy during deceleration, improving efficiency and reducing wear on brakes. The result is lower energy consumption and reduced maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle.

Noise reduction is one of the most immediately noticeable benefits of electric trash trucks. Collection often occurs early in the morning, and diesel engines can be disruptive in residential neighborhoods. Electric trucks operate far more quietly, improving quality of life for residents while creating a safer, less stressful working environment for operators and sanitation crews.

Air quality improvements are equally important. Diesel-powered waste trucks contribute disproportionately to local air pollution because they operate in close proximity to homes, schools, and businesses. Electrifying trash collection eliminates tailpipe emissions, reducing exposure to nitrogen oxides and particulate matter in the very neighborhoods where people live and work. These health benefits are especially meaningful in historically overburdened communities.

From a cost perspective, electric waste trucks are increasingly competitive. While upfront vehicle costs remain higher, fuel savings, lower maintenance requirements, and available state and federal incentives can significantly reduce total cost of ownership. As battery technology improves and production scales, these economics continue to move in favor of electrification.