Mack unveils electric refuse demo model

Updated May 9, 2019

Mack Trucks Unveiled Yesterday Its Mack Lr Battery Electric VehicleMack Trucks unveiled yesterday its Mack LR battery electric vehicle (BEV) at WasteExpo 2019. Combining the refuse design of the Mack LR model with a fully electric Mack drivetrain, the demonstration model will begin real-world testing in 2020 with the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), the company says.

“The Mack LR BEV is the latest example of Mack’s leadership within the refuse and recycling industry,” says Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president, North American sales and marketing. “Built on our decades of experience in powertrain innovation, the electric LR delivers a powerful yet quiet, zero-emission solution designed to tackle one of the most demanding applications in one of the largest cities in the world.”

The Mack LR BEV is powered by Mack’s integrated electric powertrain consisting of two 130-kW motors producing a combined 496 peak horsepower and 4,051 lb.-ft. of torque available from zero RPM. Power is sent through a two-speed Mack Powershift transmission and put to the ground by Mack’s proprietary S522R 52,000-lb. rear axles. The Mack LR BEV features a copper-colored Bulldog hood ornament, signifying that it’s an electric vehicle, Mack says.

All of the LR BEV’s accessories, including the hydraulic systems for the Heil DuraPack 5000 body, are electrically driven through 12V, 24V and 600V circuits. Four NMC lithium-ion batteries are charged via a 150kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system.

As one of Mack’s largest customers, the company says DSNY was an ideal choice to test the first LR BEV model in a real-world application. DSNY is the world’s largest sanitation department, with its 10,000 employees collecting more than 12,000 tons of refuse and recyclables each day.

“New York City, and DSNY in particular, is a world leader when it comes to testing the latest technologies to help us reduce our environmental footprint,” says New York City DSNY Deputy Commissioner Rocky DiRico. “We’re proud to be the first Mack customer to test this exciting new technology, and we look forward to continuing to work with Mack throughout this project.”

Mack says fully electric trucks like the Mack LR BEV provide a number of benefits, including zero emissions and the potential for improved environmental sustainability. In addition, fully electric trucks produce significantly less noise, enabling nighttime operation, a particularly attractive option for refuse operators in urban environments.

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