First Mack LR Electric begins service in NYC

Mack Trucks has turned over the keys to its Mack LR Electric demonstration model to New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) officials, who will put it through real-world trials. The announcement was made during Climate Week NYC 2020, coordinated through the United Nations and New York City.

“Mack Trucks is proud to deliver to DSNY their first fully electric refuse vehicle, the Mack LR Electric, so it can begin its in-service trial in their demanding application,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of North American sales and commercial operations. “The LR Electric is equipped with Mack’s integrated electric powertrain to help DSNY achieve their greenhouse gas (GHG) goals while also offering a significantly quieter propulsion system.”

DSNY’s sanitation department, with roughly 12,000 tons of refuse and recyclables collected each day by more than 6,000 vehicles, comprises predominantly Mack vehicles.

The Mack LR Electric demonstration model will be based at DSNY’s Brooklyn North 1 garage and conduct an in-service trial on local collection routes, evaluating operating range, payload capacity, regenerative braking, and overall functionality of the electric refuse vehicle in DSNY's operations.

“We’re pleased to begin in-service testing of the first Mack LR Electric within our fleet,” said Rocco DiRico, deputy commissioner for support services at the New York City Department of Sanitation. “Electric trucks will be a key component to helping New York City meet its ambitious goal of reducing GHG emissions by 80 percent by the year 2035.”

Mack announced earlier this month its plans to commercialize the LR Electric model in 2021, enabling customers to collect refuse in a more environmentally friendly way. The company unveiled the DSNY LR Electric demonstrator in May 2019, demonstrating the vehicle to DSNY officials in January 2020 at the Mack Customer Center in Allentown, Pa.