Even the humble garbage truck is going electric. BYD introduced its Class 8 electric refuse truck at the recent ACT Expo in Long Beach.

The truck is a cab and chassis platform, which includes the batteries, high-voltage control system, electric propulsion system, and an electric power take-off (ePTO) which powers the hydraulic system that operates the refuse truck body.  It has a 10-ton payload and 76 miles of range, and can charge at 40, 80, 100, or 200 kW. BYD projects that the battery pack will retain 80 percent capacity after 5,000 cycles or 14 years, if charged every day.

The platform is designed to integrate with all the major refuse truck body builders in North America, and can be configured as a side loader, automated side loader, front loader, rear loader, or roll off.

According to BYD, fleet managers can expect to save $13,000 in fuel and maintenance costs per year (based on service routes of 60 miles per day/5 days a week).

“BYD’s medium- and heavy-duty battery electric vehicles have a lower total cost of ownership and can be a one-for-one replacement with fossil fueled vehicles in fleet operations,” said Stella Li, President of BYD Motors.

Source: BYD