Bronx Gets Cleaner Air with New Electric Garbage Trucks

Garbage trucks don't usually make headlines for making neighborhoods healthier, but Royal Waste Services is changing that story in the Bronx.

The company received its first Mack LR Electric garbage truck in December through "The Bronx Is Breathing" initiative. After just eight weeks, the results were so impressive that Royal Waste ordered three more electric trucks to expand their clean fleet.

The numbers tell a powerful story. That first electric truck collected around 75 tons of waste every week while maintaining perfect operational uptime. No breakdowns, no delays, just reliable service without the diesel fumes that traditional garbage trucks leave behind.

Michael Angelo Reali, district manager for Royal Waste Services, says the decision was easy. "After seeing positive results with our initial Mack LR Electric, adding three more units was a natural next step for our fleet," he explains.

The benefits go beyond cleaner air. Drivers report feeling less tired at the end of their shifts because the trucks don't vibrate like diesel engines. The electric motors also provide better control and responsiveness on those constant stop-and-go collection routes through city streets.

The Mack LR Electric packs 376 kWh of battery power that feeds two electric motors producing 448 horsepower and an incredible 4,051 pound-feet of torque. That massive power kicks in instantly, making it perfect for hauling heavy loads and starting and stopping hundreds of times each day.

A smart regenerative braking system captures energy every time the truck slows down, feeding power back into the battery. With all those stops during a typical collection route, that recovered energy significantly extends how far the truck can travel on a single charge.

The project received funding through the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program, which helps companies afford the switch to electric vehicles. The program specifically targets disadvantaged communities that have suffered from poor air quality for too long.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just about one company making a business decision. When garbage trucks go electric in residential neighborhoods, everyone benefits. Families can sleep through early morning pickups without diesel engines rumbling outside their windows. Kids waiting for school buses breathe cleaner air. Workers collecting waste go home healthier and less exhausted.

George Fotopoulos, vice president at Mack Trucks, points out what this expansion proves. "Royal Waste Services' decision demonstrates the operational viability of electric refuse vehicles in demanding urban environments," he says.

Other waste companies are watching closely. If electric trucks can handle the tough conditions of Bronx collection routes while saving money on fuel and maintenance, the case for switching becomes harder to ignore.

The Bronx is breathing easier, one electric garbage truck at a time.