Peel Region piloting fully-electric waste collection vehicle

Emterra Group adds Mack Low Ride Electric vehicle to fleet

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

You might soon see an electric garbage truck in your area. 

On October 10, the Region of Peel announced it was beginning use of a fully-electric waste collection vehicle, a first in Ontario.

The Emterra Group, which operates 150 waste collection vehicles in Peel, is adding a Mack Low Ride Electric Vehicle to its fleet.

It has 376 kilowatt hours of battery capacity, and its twin motors generate 448 horsepower.

The Region said the vehicle has fast-charging capabilities to reduce downtime, and boasted of its quieter operation during collection hours. Further, it said the vehicle will decrease air and noise pollution, providing a cleaner and more peaceful environment in Peel.

The Mack Low Ride Electric Vehicle will be making rounds this Fall, collecting recyclables, waste and organic items. 

Norman Lee, Peel's Director of Waste Management, said the launch of the vehicle is a big step towards a greener future for Peel.

“The launch of Ontario's first fully electric collection vehicle in Peel Region is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and a healthier environment for our residents and workers,” said Lee. “We are excited to lead by example and hope it inspires others to follow suit.”

Peel and the Emterra Group said the vehicle will test and promote low-carbon energy as a solution for waste collection.

Paulina Leung, Chief Sustainability Officer of the Emterra Group, said the pilot is “a direct result of Emterra Group and Peel Region's shared commitment to solutions that benefit the environment, workers, and the community.”

“Together, we aim to make a beneficial impact on our environment and our planet and help expedite the transition to the next generation of collection services and infrastructure,” said Leung. “Each electric vehicle on the road represents less reliance on fossil fuels and cleaner air for people.”

Jonathan Randall, President of Mack Trucks North America, said the Mack Low Ride Electric Vehicle features two-stage regenerative braking. He said this helps it recapture energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle will be making. 

Randall said the vehicle's four Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide lithium-ion batteries are at the core of its performance. The vehicle is able to generate 4,051 pound-feet of torque.

With the launch of the electric waste collection vehicle comes a partnership between Peel Region, Emterra Group and the Smart Freight Centre. 

Smart Freight Centre describes itself as “an international non-profit organization focused on reducing greenhouse gas emission from freight transportation”.

Leung said the Smart Freight Centre will work to monitor and evaluate comprehensive data from the electric waste collection vehicle pilot project. 

“This project aims to inform municipal and private fleet operators on future fleet electrification, air quality improvement, and noise reduction,” said Leung.