Republic Services Launches Electric Waste Trucks
Republic Services, Inc., a prominent player in the field of environmental services and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol RSG, has unveiled its intention to substantially expand its electric truck fleet.
The company has reached a long-term agreement with Oshkosh Corporation to achieve this objective. Republic Services plans to commence the operation of two fully integrated electric recycling and waste truck prototypes in the upcoming autumn season and intends to make electric vehicles (EVs) account for 50% of its new truck acquisitions within the next five years.
Republic Services currently manages the United States' fifth largest vocational fleet, which comprises 17,000 trucks, and it currently operates electric collection trucks in two states. The company has taken the industry's largest step towards fleet electrification by adopting a multi-supplier vendor strategy. Oshkosh's McNeilus business unit has been one of Republic's primary suppliers of recycling and waste collection truck bodies for a long time.
Republic Services shared its operational, safety, and ergonomic requirements for the trucks with Oshkosh's engineers. The chassis and body of the vehicle are designed as a single unit, which optimises the interior space and gives it a distinct, streamlined exterior. To enhance safety, the truck features an expanded windshield to provide better visibility, 360-degree cameras, lane-departure sensors, and automated braking.
Jon Vander Ark, the president and CEO of Republic Services, said, "As a company that runs 17,000 trucks, Republic Services is in a unique position to advance decarbonisation through our commitment to electrification, delivering meaningful environmental and economic benefits. Our work with Oshkosh on the truck of the future will speed up the changeover of our fleet and give us access to new technology and safety features. We'll continue to invest in innovations that will help reduce emissions, benefit the environment, and help our customers meet their own sustainability goals."
"We are pleased Republic sees the value in this first-of-its-kind integrated, electric refuse collection vehicle," said John Pfeifer, president and chief executive officer of Oshkosh Corporation. "We are like-minded in our commitment to electrification, active safety and advancing sustainability initiatives in communities around the world to make a difference in people's lives."
Phoenix will see two automated side-load prototypes for residential collections hit the road this fall, followed by more vehicles planned for 2024 in locations such as Santa Ana and Carlsbad, California, and the Portland area in Oregon.
Electric vehicles are a great fit for the recycling and waste collection industry since the trucks run consistent routes and can recharge overnight at their base. This new truck is the result of Republic Services' environmental services leadership and Oshkosh's extensive experience in developing heavy-duty EVs such as fire trucks, aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles, defence vehicles, access equipment, and concrete placement vehicles.
Republic Services is taking practical steps towards sustainability by making significant commitments to promote circularity and decarbonisation. The company has set a target to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030, and it is the sole environmental services provider in the United States to have its emissions reduction target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Source: Republic Services
