First electric Mack begins service

Volvo Group subsidiary Mack Trucks has delivered its LR Electric waste truck demonstration model to the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY).

DSNY is the world’s largest municipal sanitation department with around 12,000 tons of refuse and recyclables collected each day by more than 6000 vehicles.

Its collection fleet largely consists of Mack vehicles and the new LR Electric model will be put to the test in real-world trials.

The department will base the demonstration model at its Brooklyn North 1 garage and conduct an in-service trial on local collection routes, evaluating operating range, payload capacity, regenerative braking and overall functionality.

Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks North American sales and commercial operations senior vice president, says the battery electric Mack will undergo demanding testing.

“The LR Electric is equipped with Mack’s integrated electric powertrain to help DSNY achieve their greenhouse gas goals, while also offering a significantly quieter propulsion system.”

DSNY support services deputy commissioner Rocco DiRico says everyone is looking forward to begin testing the first Mack LR Electric within the fleet.

“Electric trucks will be a key component to helping New York City meet its ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2035.”

Mack announced earlier this month it plans to commercialise the truck and start taking orders in later this year with deliveries beginning in 2021.

Featuring a copper-coloured Bulldog hood ornament to represent the fully electric drivetrain, DSNY’s Mack LR Electric demonstrator features two 167kW motors, offering a combined 400kW peak power, 334kW continuous power, and 5492Nm of torque available from zero RPM.

The vehicle is equipped with a two-speed Mack Powershift transmission and Mack proprietary S522R 52,000-lb rear axles. The truck features four NMC lithium-ion batteries that are charged via a 150kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system.

All accessories on the Mack LR Electric model, including the hydraulic system for the Heil Durapack 5000 refuse body, are electrically driven through 12V, 24V and 600V circuits.

Mack Trucks president Martin Weissburg says the LR Electric is paving the way toward widespread acceptance of zero-emissions refuse trucks.

“As we begin delivering them to customers in the coming year, we remain committed to ensuring these trucks are built to meet the unique needs of the refuse industry.”

The LR Electric can be fitted with equipment bodies from a number of manufacturers, allowing the customer to tailor the truck to their specific application. Customers will be able to choose from the same driver/passenger side driving configurations, seating choices and door options offered on the diesel-powered LR. In addition, minimal changes to the gauges and select switchgear were made, allowing Mack to carry over the ergonomic driver-designed LR cab.