Sacramento incorporating EV into sustainability program

New Mack® LR Electric making the rounds in city’s Recycling and Solid Waste Division

It's happened to us all at one time or another: you're in a blissful slumber, when all of a sudden, you're jolted awake by the sound of the jarring clatter of the garbage truck collecting the week's waste. But in some sections of Sacramento, you won't be woken up by the garbage truck making the early morning rounds unless you are a super light sleeper.

That’s because there's one less noisy garbage truck on the road: aided by a grant to help achieve sustainability goals, Sacramento took ownership of its first electric garbage truck in 2024.

The shiny blue Mack® LR Electric side-loader drew curious looks and smiles when it was taken out for the public to see at its debut at the Clean Air Day Celebration. It was a perfect place to make its debut since the truck boasts zero emissions.

The City of Sacramento has a long history of environmental pioneering, and the EV is part of the city's sustainability program and goals. The Mack is the first electric garbage truck in the city's 140-truck fleet.

“The City of Sacramento has a very pro-active sustainability policy and history, showcased by being voted the #1 Government Green Fleet in North America in 2013. Fleet Manager, Alison Kerstetter, says the city remains committed to its sustainability goals.

“As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, the City revised its Fleet Sustainability Policy to proactively pursue lower-emission vehicle solutions. This update aligns with California’s progressive requirements for local fleet operations,” Kerstetter commented.

“To ensure operational compatibility with emerging technologies, we initiated a pilot program focused on electric vehicles,” Kerstetter said, noting that after careful evaluation, an electric refuse truck was selected as the optimal candidate for testing.

“Its suitability is driven by the nature of refuse collection routes, which involve consistent braking and predictable, repetitive travel patterns—conditions that maximize the benefits of electric drivetrains and regenerative braking systems. We had a grant to partially fund the purchase of an electric truck, and we went with Mack," says Jesus Barragan, who works in Sacramento’s sanitation department. “The truck is great, it performs great, and it does what we need it to do.”

An electric garbage truck can't carry quite as heavy a load as a conventional garbage truck, so the city has their Mack assigned to a recycling route where the refuse is typically a bit lighter. A typical compressed natural gas (CNG) garbage truck can handle about 9 tons where an EV can do about 7 tons. But when Sacramento's Mack is fully charged, it runs two loads a day to the dump, logging 80 to 100 miles 5 days a week, starting its route at 6 a.m. each day.

"Electric garbage trucks are fairly new to the industry. Ideally, we would like it to perform up to 12 hours if needed," Barragan says.

The Recycling and Solid Waste Division realizes they are on the cutting edge of what will likely be a transformational trend and have been willing to work through some of the bugs that come when transitioning to something new. However, the city still projects a savings of approximately 6,000 gallons of fuel by swapping out a CNG truck for an EV.

Even with the smaller load capability, the Mack LR Electric represents a milestone breakthrough. The vehicle features a 376-kWh battery system that powers it through the daily routes while maintaining the durability Mack is known for and that drivers love. Using DC fast charging, the truck can reach 80% charge in approximately 90 minutes, allowing it to quickly prepare for its next run, although the Sacramento team usually leaves it plugged in overnight.

The electric powertrain includes next-gen braking technology that captures energy during stops and deceleration, extending the truck's range throughout the day. The truck's quiet operation and zero tailpipe emissions make it particularly well-suited for residential routes in California’s congested capital.

Mack designed the LR Electric specifically for waste and recycling collection, still offering the low-entry cab design that makes it easier for drivers to get in and out at every stop. Drivers like many of the other aspects of the truck as well.

"The Mack LR Electric handled the full route with power to spare. Smooth, quiet, and dependable — it gets the job done every time," says Franklyn M. Lied, a driver who says operating this new generation iteration of a garbage truck makes him feel good.

Lied calls the truck strong, reliable, and built for the work.

"The Mack LR Electric delivers," Lied says. "From the first can to the last load, the Mack LR Electric proves it can handle a full day's work efficiently and reliably," he says. "Driving the Mack LR Electric makes the job easier, cleaner, and quieter — I'm proud to run this truck on my route."