Miami-Dade County, Florida, recently introduced the Mack LR Electric refuse truck it ordered in May to help the county move toward sustainable operations. The Mack LR Electric is the county’s first heavy-duty electric vehicle purchase for its fleet, and the truck will be powered by electricity generated by garbage from the county’s waste department, according to Mack press releases.
“This is a monumental moment for Miami-Dade and the waste industry because we are using refuse that we collect to power our zero-emissions electric garbage truck,” said Miami-Dade Department of Solid Waste Management Director Michael Fernandez. “Miami-Dade will be a leader in sustainable innovation by using the electricity from the Miami-Dade Resources Recovery Waste-to-Energy facility to power the Mack LR Electric.”
The facility, owned by the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management, creates enough electricity from waste collected in the county to supply its own needs as well as to generate revenue for the county.
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“The Mack LR Electric vehicle will be powered by the garbage it collects,” said Danny Diaz, director of fleet management for the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste. “We are closely monitoring electric vehicles, and we plan to purchase more—especially when you factor in the savings on fuel and maintenance.”
Other communities that have ordered Mack LR Electric trucks include Mobile, Alabama, Cary, North Carolina, and Ocala, Florida.
“We are extremely excited about adding our very first electric truck to our solid waste collection fleet to help us reduce emissions and reach our climate action goals,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Miami-Dade County is fully committed to climate action, and this is the perfect example of how we are investing in innovative, energy-efficient alternatives that allow us to continue providing the best service to our residents while also protecting the environment.”
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The Miami-Dade Mack LR Electric is an automated side loader. It is fitted with a Labrie body. Nextran will service and support the vehicle.
Four NMC (nickel manganese cobalt oxide) lithium-ion batteries, charged through a 150kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system, power the vehicle. They also provide for all onboard accessories through 12V, 24V and 600V circuits. The two-stage regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the hundreds of stops the LR Electric truck makes each day with an increasing load. A copper-colored Bulldog is featured on the cab of the truck, signifying the all-electric powertrain.
The Mack LR Electric may be fitted with equipment bodies from numerous manufacturers based on the unique needs of each Mack customer. The same driver/passenger side driving configurations, seating choices, and door options are available for the LR Electric as for the diesel-powered Mack LR model.
