The new purchase is made in support of the goals set forth in Governor Polis’s Colorado EV Plan 2020, which includes an 80% drop in emissions from electricity generation by 2030. Eco-Cycle and our partners intend to lead a transition toward electric-powered fleets for haulers, particularly in the waste, recycling, and composting industry. “Unveiling the first electric compost collection truck in the country represents the future, but more specifically, it represents our vision of the future. A future that is more circular. A future where we collect our recycling and composting discards so that they can become feedstocks for new products, and we do so with trucks powered by clean energy. That is the circular economy.” —First Gentleman Marlon Reis The truck will serve as Eco-Cycle’s new frontline vehicle starting in summer 2022 to collect compostables generated by our commercial and institutional clients. The electric-powered compost collection truck, which will travel an estimated 15,000 miles each year, will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2,500 tons over the vehicle’s lifetime. The truck, a Mack ® LR Electric, was purchased from Bruckner’s Truck & Equipment and is the company’s first direct sale of this cutting-edge vehicle by a private company. “Electric vehicles are the future for commercial trucks as our industry pushes toward zero tailpipe emissions. Congratulations to Eco-Cycle for leading us forward to a new future of recycling and a new future of green transportation solutions.” —Brian Bruckner, president of Bruckner’s Truck & Equipment Four NMC (Nickle Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion batteries, charged through a 150kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system, provide vehicle propulsion and power for all onboard accessories, driven through 12V, 24V, and 600V circuits. The two-stage regenerative braking system accounts for the refuse truck’s increasing load throughout the day and helps recapture energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle makes each day. “This is very exciting, to be here celebrating what I think we can technically describe as a really awesome truck. What we’re seeing here today is just such a great example of how far electric vehicle technology has evolved in the last few decades—really, the last few years . . .” —Shoshana Lew, CDOT Executive Director
As the impacts of climate change become more frequent and unpredictable, collaborations across industries to develop and expand climate solutions become increasingly critical. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado, with commercial trucks being a major contributor, and hence an important part of any climate solution. Meanwhile, 42% of greenhouse gasses are generated from the way we produce, transport, consume, and dispose of our waste, making Zero Waste an essential climate solution. “There is no silver bullet when it comes to addressing climate change. Instead, we need a portfolio approach that brings many strategies together, both to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses that cause global warming to our planet and increase the resilience of society. So what we see here today with this innovative electric compost vehicle is a critical piece in that strategy.” —Antonio Busalacchi, president of UCAR Thanks to a grant from the ALT Fuels Colorado program, Eco-Cycle has obtained foundational funding to purchase the EV truck. Eco-Cycle’s vision is to secure additional funding to support an onsite solar array for truly Zero Emission collections. |
