Palo Alto may be the most EV-friendly city in the US – even its garbage trucks are going electric. BYD has delivered an electric automated side-loader refuse truck to GreenWaste, the city’s waste hauling service.

The BYD electric refuse truck has 76 miles of range and can fully charge in two to three hours. The batteries are used not only for propulsion, but also to power the hydraulic system.

The truck will operate on a variety of service routes in the community, including streets with steep inclines. The city projects fuel and maintenance cost savings of more than $16,000 annually. GreenWaste will monitor and collect data to determine the feasibility of replacing its entire diesel truck fleet with electric refuse trucks.

Due to the stop-and-go nature and designated daily routes their operations, refuse trucks are seen as prime candidates for electrification. Earlier this year, BYD introduced a Class 8 heavy-duty electric refuse truck at the ACT Expo.

“BYD wants to electrify everything in transportation, and we see great potential for turning over diesel or natural gas refuse truck fleets to zero emission, battery-electric trucks,” said VP of Truck Sales Andy Swanton. “This battery-electric refuse truck in Palo Alto will save GreenWaste tens of thousands of dollars annually in fuel costs while completely eliminating tailpipe emissions and operating quietly in residential neighborhoods.”

Source: BYD via Green Car Congress