Cambridge Debuts First Electric Trash Collection Truck, Advancing City's Goal of Zero-Emission Fleet

The City of Cambridge has added its first Mack LR Electric trash collection truck to the City’s fleet, marking another critical step in helping the City meet its larger climate action and emissions reduction goals. This Mack LR Electric truck is the first fully electric trash truck in operation in Cambridge. Three additional EV collection trucks have been fully funded, with the next two due to arrive early 2025. These vehicles are a significant milestone in the City's commitment to a 100% zero-emission solid waste collection fleet by June 30, 2035.

“Waste collection is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Cambridge, so transitioning these heavy-duty diesel vehicles to electric was a logical step toward our goal of eliminating fossil fuels,” said Kathy Watkins, Public Works Commissioner. “We’re excited to see these trucks on Cambridge streets, making trash collection a cleaner, greener process.”

The Mack LR Electric trucks feature a 376-kWh battery capacity, allowing for a long range between charges. Fully electric and emission-free, they contribute to cleaner air by eliminating tailpipe pollution and reducing harmful particulate emissions.

“As a City, we prioritized finding vehicles that not only align with our emissions reduction goals, but can also navigate tight Cambridge neighborhoods,” said John Keeter, Fleet Manager for the Cambridge Department of Public Works. “We did extensive research, including a visit to the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to learn about their LR Electric demo model. DSNY’s approach to refuse collection closely resembles ours, so we knew these trucks would be a good fit for Cambridge. We look forward to adding more fully electric rubbish trucks as we continue electrifying our municipal fleet and paving the way towards a more sustainable future.”

The City’s commitment to expanding its fleet of EVs and reducing its carbon footprint is also supported by state and federal incentives. The Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles (MOR-EV) program provided a $99,000 rebate for each of the first two trucks, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) program will contribute a $305,000 grant toward the cost of the third vehicle.

To support these electric trucks, the city has installed two DC fast chargers, ensuring that the vehicles are ready for service each day. Residents should keep an eye out for these new additions to the fleet in their neighborhoods on collection days.