Residents of the German city of Karlsruhe are enjoying quieter mornings these days. Waste collection agency Team Sauberes Karlsruhe (Clean Karlsruhe Team) recently added seven new Mercedes-Benz eEconic electric waste collection vehicles to its fleet.

TSK used a test vehicle for over a year to gather experience and test the practicality of the electric drive system in waste collection. TSK employees provided detailed feedback, highlighting the quiet driving, the pleasant driving experience without vibrations, and the more pleasant working conditions at the rear of the vehicle.

The rear-loading vehicles are equipped with superstructures from FAUN Umwelttechnik. Five of the eEconics have a VARIOPRESS 524 HK body with FAUN X tipping, and can therefore be used flexibly for recyclables and waste materials. Two of the vehicles are equipped with the robust POWERPRESS 524H body, which is specially designed for the high demands of bulky waste collection.

Each of the e-trucks has three battery packs, each with a capacity of 112 kWh (nominal) and 97 kWh (usable). This delivers an average range of around 80 km, and in some cases more than 100 km. All routes in Karlsruhe can be completed in single-shift operation without en route charging.

The charging infrastructure consists of a decentralized satellite charging system. Two power units, each with a capacity of 400 kW, supply a total of eight wall-mounted charging points, each with a capacity of 100 kW. Separate power units convert AC to DC.

An energy management system ensures efficient use of the available charging power, helps to avoid voltage peaks in the power grid, and prioritizes the charging of individual vehicles, ensuring that each vehicle is always sufficiently charged for its route at its planned operating time. TSK plans to add a photovoltaic system to its microgrid.

TSK is continuing the electrification of its fleet: the agency has ordered eleven additional eEconic waste collection vehicles with a low-entry design. By 2035, the municipal fleet is to be completely converted to electric drive systems, except for a few legacy vehicles for emergencies.

Source: Daimler Truck