Republic Services, a leader in the environmental services industry, today announced plans to significantly scale its US electric truck fleet through a long-term deal with Oshkosh Corporation,the American company that designs and builds speciality trucks, military vehicles and truck bodies.
Republic Services will begin operating two fully integrated electric recycling and waste truck prototypes this autumn and expects electric vehicles (EVs) to represent half of its new truck purchases in the next five years.
Republic operates the country’s fifth largest vocational fleet with 17,000 trucks, with electric collection trucks currently operating in two states. The company has made the industry’s largest commitment to fleet electrification through a multi-supplier vendor strategy.
Oshkosh’s McNeilus business unit is one of Republic’s longtime providers of recycling and waste collection truck bodies. Hopefully, other key players in the US environmental services space will follow suit.
Republic provided insights to Oshkosh engineers regarding operational, safety and ergonomic features for the truck. The chassis and body are designed as a single unit, maximising interior space and creating a unique, streamlined exterior. Safety features include an enlarged windshield for improved visibility, 360-degree cameras, lane-departure sensors and automated braking.
Jon Vander Ark, Republic Services president and CEO, said: “As the operator of 17,000 trucks, Republic Services is uniquely positioned to advance decarbonisation through our commitment to electrification, delivering meaningful environmental and economic benefits.
“Our engagement with Oshkosh on the truck of the future will accelerate the transition of our fleet while providing advanced safety features and technology. We’ll continue to invest in innovations that will help reduce emissions, benefit the environment and help our customers meet their own sustainability goals.”
John Pfeifer, Oshkosh Corporation president and CEO, said: “We are pleased Republic sees the value in this first-of-its-kind integrated, electric refuse collection vehicle.
“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.”
Two automated side-load prototypes for residential collections will hit the road in Phoenix this autumn. Additional vehicles are planned for 2024 in locations including Santa Ana and Carlsbad in California and the Portland, Oregon area.
The recycling and waste collection business is well-suited for electric vehicles, with trucks operating consistent routes and returning to a base to recharge overnight. This new truck uses Republic’s environmental services leadership and Oshkosh’s experience with purpose-built heavy-duty EVs, including fire trucks, aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles, defence vehicles, access equipment and concrete placement vehicles.
Republic Services is putting sustainability into action through industry-leading commitments to advance circularity and decarbonisation. The company set a goal to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 35 per cent by 2030 and is the only US environmental services provider to have its emissions reduction target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
