During Climate Week NYC 2020, truck manufacturing company Mack Trucks announced the delivery of an electric refuse model to the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY).
The Mack LR Electric demonstration model is Mack Truck’s first fully-electric refuse vehicle, equipped with an integrated electric powertrain. The vehicle will start an in-service trial route in New York City to evaluate the overall operation as the first zero-emission utility vehicle in the fleet’s portfolio.
In Mack Truck’s recent press release, Rocco DiRico, deputy commissioner for support services at the New York City Department of Sanitation, said, “Electric trucks will be a key component to helping New York City meet its ambitious goal of reducing GHG emissions by 80% by the year 2035.”
Currently, the transportation sector accounts for approximately 30% of citywide annual greenhouse gas emissions in New York. In order to meet a reduction goal in the transportation sector, electrification of the city’s private, light-duty and heavy-duty fleets is crucial.
New York City has the largest vehicle fleet in the nation with over 30,000 vehicles and manages vehicles across a number of agencies. In February 2020, New York City Mayor de Blasio signed Executive Order 53, committing to transition New York City to an all-electric fleet by 2040.
The City operates a robust electric and alternative fuel fleets that include approximately 2,260 on-road battery-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and 5,500 hybrid vehicles.
In addition to electrification, NYC Fleet is committed to the city’s climate goals with the use of drop-in replacement fuels, such as biodiesel, to help operate over 11,000 diesel vehicles in the fleet. Biodiesel blends help reduce emissions, especially when used with diesel particulate filters and diesel emissions fluid.
DSNY is the world’s largest municipal sanitation department and operates more than 6,000 vehicles to handle approximately 12,000 tons of refuse and recyclables daily from millions of New Yorkers. DSNY is committed to sustainability and has already dramatically reduced 50% of its greenhouse gas emissions since 2005.
Like the greater NYC Fleet, DSNY uses biodiesel blends in their diesel vehicles and is committed to transitioning 88% of light-duty vehicles to hybrid or electric.
The Mack LR Electric demonstration vehicle is an example of DSNY’s efforts to fully electrify its fleet where possible and help the city achieve its emission reductions goal.
The vehicle’s unique application that fully meets New York City vehicle specifications is a tremendous feat that fully aligns with Mayor de Blasio’s fleet electrification commitment.
Electrification of the medium- and heavy-duty sector in New York is now more affordable through funding programs.
Made available through the Volkswagen Settlement funds, the New York City (NYC) Clean Trucks Program and New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP) are both available for the replacement of old, polluting diesel vehicles.
The NYC Clean Trucks Program, specifically, is a rebate incentive funding program available to many fleets in the New York City metropolitan region to replace 2009 or older medium- and heavy-duty diesel trucks. The program has several zero-emission battery-electric and EPA-emission-compliant vehicle options available from Class 3-8 vehicle sizes and focuses its truck replacement projects on businesses that move goods and commercial truck operators located in or providing service within a half-mile of program-approved Industrial Business Zones (IBZs).
To learn more about the NYC Clean Trucks Program and apply for funding, visit nycctp.com.
