What you need to know:
- Royal Waste Services expands its Mack LR Electric lineup, reinforcing growth in the medium-duty battery-electric commercial vehicle market and accelerating electric garbage truck adoption in New York.
- The fleet expansion is supported by New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP) funding and the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program, advancing zero-emission truck incentives.
- The Mack LR Electric refuse truck demonstrates strong urban EV fleet performance, collecting over 600 tons of waste with consistent uptime and improved driver efficiency in stop-and-go routes.
- Equipped with a 376 kWh battery system, dual electric motors with 4,051 lb-ft torque, SAE J1772 fast charging, and regenerative braking technology, the truck is optimized for sustainable waste collection operations.
The medium-duty battery-electric commercial vehicle market continues to be one of the bright spots in the alternative power industry.
Along with light-duty battery-electrics, such as the Rivian-built EDVs we see everyday making Amazon deliveries, fully electrified garbage trucks are continuing to expand their market presence.
[Related: Inside the small Colorado city with a fully electric garbage truck fleet]
Case in point: Royal Waste Services has just announced the expansion of its Mack LR Electric garbage truck fleet with three more vehicles in New York state following the company deployed its first unit in December 2025.
Like the state's first LR Electric, the new vehicles also received funding from the New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP). Royal Waste Services took delivery of its first LR Electric in early 2025 through the "The Bronx Is Breathing" initiative, which was supported by funding from the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program.
Since then, that one LR Electric has accumulated over 500 miles and collected more than 600 tons of trash. During its first two months in service, the LR Electric averaged roughly 75 tons of waste collection per week without a single day of downtime. Operators say they felt far less fatigue thanks to the elimination of engine vibration that comes with traditional diesel engines, as well as sharper handling and smoother responsiveness than conventional trucks on frequent stop-and-start routes.
[Related: Electrify where it makes sense: A sequencing method to BEV adoption]
"Royal Waste Services' decision to expand its Mack LR Electric fleet demonstrates the operational viability of electric refuse vehicles in demanding urban environments," said George Fotopoulos, Mack Trucks vice president and e-mobility business unit leader. "The company’s continued investment in zero-tailpipe emission technology reflects both the performance of the LR Electric and its commitment to sustainable waste collection operations in New York."
The Mack LR Electric is powered by a 376 kWh battery system and boasts dual electric motors that generate 448 continuous horsepower and 4,051 lb-ft of torque available from a standstill. Power is supplied by four NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion battery packs, which recharge via a 150 kW SAE J1772-compliant charging interface. Additionally, the two-stage regenerative braking system captures and reuses energy from the frequent stops made throughout the workday, enhancing overall efficiency.
