New York City Begins Electrifying Its Garbage Truck Fleet

Operating in the fuel consumption range of 0 to 35 miles per hour, making continuous stops and weighing many tons, diesel garbage trucks are prime candidates for an electrified makeover.

The New York City Department of Sanitation has retrofitted 12 of its garbage trucks with hybrid electric motors and batteries from a Canadian company called Effenco, whose technology can also be found in the cities of Paris and Los Angeles, in vehicles such as trucks. tipper, port. terminal tractors, and more.

Instead of lithium-ion batteries like those found in most electric and hybrid vehicles, Effenco uses ultracapacitors. These powertrains operate not only the engines but also the equipment on board, such as the trash compactor.

Its immense electrical supply reduces its ability to store energy, which means the trucks will have a shorter range, but ultracapacitors. have a much longer life expectancy than lithium-ion batteries and can be discharged millions of times without wearing out.

Hybrid-electric technology actually shows reduced power consumption by 30% compared to if the vehicles were fully electric and had to be on the grid all night.

MORE: New electric car batteries can be fully charged in 5 minutes, such as filling your car with gasoline, if better chargers are in place

Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed an executive order mandating the creation of an all-electric municipal fleet by 2040, and Sanitation Deputy Commissioner Rocco DiRicco has already ordered 14 new trucks equipped with Effenco ultracapacitors to join the 12 already equipped. . some.

There are more than 2,000 general collection trucks in the sanitation fleet, and Arsenault believes its technology can help with other problems the department has.

Diesel engine noise makes trucks dangerous creatures to passing motorists, as the driver cannot hear a car approaching from behind. In addition, the constant stops and starts inherent in the job cause the truck to constantly burp noxious fumes that are dangerous to pedestrians and the workers themselves.

RELATED: With prices for electric vehicle batteries dropping 87% in a decade, Tesla is now making a car that will cost $ 25,000

The company recently raised CAD $ 10 million in financing for the expansion of operations in Europe and North America, which follows an exceptional fiscal year in which sales skyrocketed in four different countries as more and more governments work. to achieve your emission reduction targets.

Source: Kevin.B, CC license

DRIVE this positive friend with your friends …