First electric waste trucks go into service in Victoria

Melbourne council City of Casey is about to make history, with the first Victorian all-electric garbage truck set to start collecting residential rubbish this month.

It’s the first electric truck for WM Waste Management Services and if successful is likely to be the first of many.

Mark Jeffs, WM managing director, says the new trucks were further evidence of the company’s continued shift toward innovation and support for renewable energy.

“Collecting rubbish this way will help to make the environment more sustainable for future generations with this unique electric vehicle technology.”

WM’s move to electric vehicles is a local example of the circular economy being put to action and reducing the carbon footprint through reduced emissions.

“These vehicles are better for the rate payer, quieter than diesel or petrol vehicles, lower maintenance than normal trucks and last longer,” Mr Jeffs said.

The company is already looking to roll out more electric trucks in their fleet in other councils around Melbourne from November.

The trucks have been designed by Superior Pak, Australia’s leading manufacturer of waste collection equipment, in collaboration with Australian automotive technology company, Sea Electric.

WM was the first hard waste business in Australia to use hybrid (diesel/electric) trucks back in 2008.