Republic Services, Inc., a US environmental services firm, has announced a long-term deal with Oshkosh Corporation to significantly scale its electric truck fleet. The company plans to begin operating two fully integrated electric recycling and waste truck prototypes in the autumn and expects electric vehicles to represent half of its new truck purchases over the next five years.
Republic Services has made the industry’s largest commitment to fleet electrification through a multi-supplier vendor strategy, and Oshkosh’s McNeilus business unit is one of its longtime providers of recycling and waste collection truck bodies. Republic provided insights to Oshkosh engineers regarding operational, safety, and ergonomic features for the truck. The chassis and body are designed as a single unit, maximizing interior space and creating a unique, streamlined exterior.
The company unveiled the industry’s first fully integrated electric recycling and waste collection truck, which will begin operations in the autumn. Two automated side-load prototypes for residential collections will hit the road in Phoenix, with additional vehicles planned in 2024 for locations including Santa Ana and Carlsbad, California, and the Portland, Oregon area.
The recycling and waste collection business is well-suited for electric vehicles, with trucks operating consistent routes and returning to a base to recharge overnight. This new truck leverages Republic’s environmental services leadership and Oshkosh’s experience with purpose-built heavy-duty EVs, including fire trucks, aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles, defence vehicles, access equipment, and concrete placement vehicles.
“As the operator of 17,000 trucks, Republic Services is uniquely positioned to advance decarbonisation through our commitment to electrification, delivering meaningful environmental and economic benefits,” said Jon Vander Ark, President and CEO at Republic. “Our engagement with Oshkosh on the truck of the future will accelerate the transition of our fleet while providing advanced safety features and technology. We’ll continue to invest in innovations that will help reduce emissions, benefit the environment, and help our customers meet their own sustainability goals.”
The recycling and waste collection industry is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the United States. Republic Services is putting sustainability in action through industry-leading commitments to advance circularity and decarbonization. The company set a goal to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 and is the only U.S. environmental services provider to have its emissions reduction target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
