Louisville, CO Boasts Nation’s First Fully Electric Refuse Collection Fleet

Republic Services of Denver, a subsidiary of Republic Services, Inc., has partnered with the City of Louisville, Colorado, to transition the city’s residential recycling and waste collection fleet to electric trucks by the end of 2024. This significant initiative marks the first time in the United States that a municipality has committed to a fully electric residential refuse collection fleet.

The collaboration between Republic Services of Denver and the City of Louisville highlights a shared commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By replacing traditional diesel-powered trucks with electric vehicles, the city aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease noise pollution, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment for its residents.

Republic Services, Inc., a leader in the waste and recycling industry, has been at the forefront of implementing sustainable practices. This partnership aligns with the company’s broader goals of reducing its carbon footprint and promoting the adoption of clean energy technologies within its operations. The electric trucks are expected to offer improved efficiency and reliability, further enhancing the quality of service provided to the residents of Louisville.

The transition to electric trucks is part of a broader trend towards electrification in the waste management industry. As cities and companies nationwide look for ways to combat climate change and reduce their environmental impact, the adoption of electric vehicles is becoming increasingly prevalent. Louisville’s pioneering move sets a precedent for other municipalities to follow, demonstrating that large-scale, sustainable waste management solutions are achievable.

“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, ” Leh continued.

Republic Services and the City of Louisville both have a strong commitment to sustainability. Adopting an electric refuse fleet will help Louisville meet the objectives of its Sustainability Action Plan. Republic Services has its own bold and commendable climate goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 35% by 2030, and partnering with municipalities on fleet electrification will help the company achieve it.

“The City of Louisville’s commitment to sustainability is something we truly applaud,” said Richard Coupland, Republic Services vice president of municipal services. “To be the first municipality in the country to adopt an electrified fleet showcases their desire to find tangible solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Our partnership exemplifies how we can contribute to a more sustainable world.”

The fleet serving Louisville will include four McNeilus Volterra EVs, the industry’s first fully integrated electric recycling and waste trucks. Developed with insights from Republic Services, these trucks prioritize safety while producing zero tailpipe emissions. Key safety features of the Volterra EVs include:

• 360-degree cameras: Providing comprehensive visibility around the vehicle to enhance safety for both the operator and the public.
• Enlarged windshield: Offering improved visibility to reduce blind spots and increase overall driver awareness.
• Lane-departure sensors: Alerting drivers if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane, helping to prevent accidents.
• Automated braking: Automatically engaging the brakes in emergency situations to prevent collisions.
• Audible devices: Emitting sounds to alert nearby drivers and pedestrians, compensating for the quieter operations of electric vehicles.

This transition aligns with Republic Services’ broader goals of reducing its carbon footprint and promoting clean energy technologies within its operations. By replacing traditional diesel-powered trucks with electric vehicles, Louisville aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease noise pollution, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment for its residents.

EVinfo.net had the great honor of speaking with CJ Berg, Senior Manager, Operations Technology EV, at Republic Services. Berg said: “Republic Services was able to utilize existing electrical service on our building to deploy chargers rapidly in support of our customer while the main charging infrastructure is in development with Xcel Energy. This methodology aligns with our strategy at other sites in the country to phase in infrastructure overtime to meet customer demand, balance available existing and new capacity when working with electric utility companies, and not overwhelm our utility’s with a very large demand request day one.”

Republic Services is not stopping with Louisville. By the end of 2024, the company expects to be operating more than 50 electric vehicles, either as research vehicles or in partnership with other forward-thinking municipalities across the country. This expansion underscores Republic Services’ commitment to sustainability and positions them as a leader in the waste management industry’s shift towards electrification.

In February 2023, Oshkosh Corporation announced that it had engineered and produced North America’s first fully integrated, electric refuse collection vehicle, creating a new category and bringing advanced technology to the refuse industry.