Mack Trucks Provides Mack LR Electric Model to Republic Services to Start Real-World Trials

Volvo Group's subsidiary Mack Trucks has given a pre-production Mack LR Electric model to the Republic Services to start in-service trials in the demanding refuse segment. 

FREMONT, CA: Mack will leverage the trials' key learnings to refine the L.R. Electric further as it gears up accepting orders for the truck in Q4 2020, with production starting in 2021. Mack and Republic announced a virtual press event at Mack World Headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.

"Mack Trucks is extremely pleased that Republic's very first fully electric refuse vehicle is the Mack LR Electric," says Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of North American sales and commercial operations. "The L.R. Electric offers numerous benefits, including zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and quieter operation, and we look forward to partnering with Republic to meet their business needs through this fully electric truck."

Republic Services is a leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal. Republic will test the L.R. Electric model in Hickory, North Carolina, on its residential recycling collection routes. The L.R. Electric will be assessed for its functionality, range, and payload capacity.

Consisting of a fully electric integrated powertrain, the Republic Mack LR Electric is equipped with two electric motors with a 536 peak horsepower output. The powertrain delivers 4,051 lb.-ft. of torque available from zero RPM, fed via a two-speed Mack Powershift shift to Mack's proprietary S462R 46,000-pound rear axles. Four NMC lithium-ion batteries are charged through a 150kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system. All of the accessories are electrically driven through 12V, 24V, and 600V circuits.

The Republic L.R. Electric features Heil's Command-SST, an automated side loader refuse body optimized for next-generation electric collection trucks. The Command-SST shows a strong, yet lightweight body that maximizes the hauling capacity without sacrificing the performance. Its efficient hydraulic system not only draws power when required but helps in extending battery life as well. A one-of-a-kind feature is the body-mounted ASL arm that frees up frame rail space for the batteries or other auxiliary components.

Identified by a copper Bulldog to represent its fully electric powertrain, the L.R. Electric will be constructed at the Mack Trucks Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO) facility in Macungie, Pennsylvania 8 Mack Trucks for North America and export are assembled.

Equipment bodies from numerous manufacturers are available for the L.R. Electric, allowing them to specify the truck to their unique application. Options include the same driver or passenger-side driving configurations, door selections, and seating choices as the diesel-powered Mack LR model. The L.R. Electric has an ergonomic design, identical to the diesel Mack LR, but with some changes to the gauges and select switchgear.