The sound of a diesel garbage truck stop-starting as it approaches may become a thing of the past. Well, that’s if the rest of the U.S. follows the example of New York City Department of Sanitation. They began experimenting with electrifying garbage collection back in 2020, when they acquired a test vehicle. Now other administrations are cottoning on to the idea.
Why Electrifying Garbage Collection Makes Sense
Well, one obvious example is electric power is quieter, and causes less pollution. Although some might fret about what happens if the batteries run flat outside their front door. It can be a matter of ‘horses for courses’ with electric transport. But batteries are sure-fire winners when it comes to electrifying garbage collection.
You see, there’s rhythm to city garbage collection that makes this solution eminently suitable. Daily distances are within driving range, as they are for most other city vehicles most of the time. And moreover, daily refuse-runs start and end at the same point, making this a planner’s dream.
But there’s another advantage for city administrators too. All they need is an electricity supply at each depot, and they can ‘top up the tanks’ overnight, so all the vehicles are recharged by morning. This application should suit many other city vehicles too, as they remain within city limits.
Harvesting Energy from NY Garbage Collection
However, there’s also another benefit to be gained from the stop-start rhythm of garbage collection. This time it comes in the form of regenerative braking:
- Regenerative brakes reverse the electric motors that drive electric vehicles.
- This generates energy that feeds back into the hybrid or electric mobility system.
- The energy boosts driving range, that accumulates and improves battery performance.
The battery electric truck in the photo uses four lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries. The electric motors are rated at 448 horsepower and 4,051 pound-foot of torque, producing performance that drivers describe as ‘peppy’ according to Popular Science.
More Information.
The Magnetic Secrets of Your Electric Car
Cruising on Battery Power Down Yangtze River
Preview Image: Fully Electric Garbage Truck
