MENU
SEARCHEmterra Environmental is buying eight Mack LR Electric refuse trucks to create an all-electric fleet operating in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. This marks the largest Mack LR Electric order to date in North America.
Emterra Environmental will begin using eight Mack LR Electric refuse trucks for routes on Vancouver Island in August.
Photo: Mack Trucks
Emterra Environmental, one of the largest integrated waste-to-resource management companies in Canada, today launched its first electric vehicle fleet consisting of eight Mack LR Electric refuse vehicles to operate in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island.
This is the largest order of Mack LR Electric vehicles thus far in North America.
Emterra Environmental also has a Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle operating in the Peel Region of Ontario, Canada, which was delivered in October 2023.
“We are excited that Emterra Environmental and the City of Courtenay and Town of Comox chose the Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle to help them accomplish their goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG),” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “This investment by Emterra signifies that refuse companies and municipalities recognize the importance of sustainability and trust that Mack Trucks can help them reduce their environmental footprint with a reliable, durable and quiet truck.”
Emterra Environmental announced the order during an event at Comox Marina Park, Town of Comox, British Columbia, Canada. Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation in British Columbia was in attendance alongside representatives of Emterra Environmental, BC Hydro-Power and Mack Trucks.
Emterra Environmental has a decades-long record of being an early adopter of the latest low-carbon technologies and has sought to find municipal partners that share their sustainability vision of reducing carbon emissions. Emterra proactively approached the City of Courtenay and the Town of Comox with the opportunity for a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) fleet as part of Emterra’s multi-year contract for residential curbside collection.
“The launch of our fully electric fleet in Comox Valley builds on our circular economy legacy,” said Emmie Leung, founder and CEO, Emterra Group. “We introduced the first successful municipal curbside recycling program in British Columbia in the early 1980’s, and now we are introducing the first entirely zero-emissions collection fleet in Canada. We are committed to leading the way through entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainability.”
The launch of the Mack LR Electric fleet is in line with the CleanBC Program, which has a goal of reducing climate-changing emissions by 40% by 2030. Officials say that transportation accounts for about 40% of the annual GHG emissions in British Columbia, so the transition to an electric refuse fleet will help assist Courtenay and Comox achieve their emissions reductions goals.
“I’m thrilled to see Emterra Environmental take this significant step towards a greener future with the launch of the largest fleet of Mack LR Electric trucks in North America,” Osborne said. “This initiative aligns with our CleanBC goals, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and demonstrating the tangible benefits of adopting clean technology with thousands of households and businesses throughout the Comox Valley enjoying quieter, more efficient waste collection services."
The eight Mack LR Electric models will begin operations in August and will service about 25,000 households and businesses. The LR Electric models are equipped with an automated side loader from Labrie and will be serviced by Nanaimo Mack.
The next generation Mack LR Electric offers a standard 376 kWh total battery capacity for 42% more energy and increased range between vehicle charges. Twin electric motors produce 448 continuous horsepower and 4,051 lb.-ft. of peak torque output from zero RPM.
Four NMC (nickel manganese cobalt oxide) lithium-ion batteries, charged through a 150 kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system, power the vehicle and all onboard accessories through 12V, 24V and 600V circuits. The two-stage regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle makes each day with an increasing load.
The truck displays a copper-colored Bulldog to make it easily identifiable as a Mack and denotes the electric drivetrain.
From tire kickers and door slammers to the hundredth “what engine’s in this thing” question, life on the show floor isn’t exactly easy. In this mockumentary-style video, we flip the script and give you the POV of an Isuzu truck sitting front and center at the booth.
Read More →
Mack Trucks will now offer the Mack ImpactShield, a windshield made with Corning Fusion5 Glass, as standard equipment on the all-new Mack Granite vocational trucks starting later this year.
Read More →
Although International will end production of its CV Series in September, dealers will continue to support the Class 4-6 work truck, and International sees the MV Series filling the niche needs of fleets that have depended on the CV.
Read More →
Acela Truck Company is replacing its Monterra with the new Monterra II, which it recently debuted. The new truck will be offered in day cab, extended cab, and crew cab configurations, along with 4x4 and 6x6 drivetrain options.
Read More →
This is the final week to register to be part of the Star Nation Experience, a Western Star event that celebrates professional drivers, their skills, and their expertise. It is an all-expenses-paid event built around competition, camaraderie, and the “Never Back Down” spirit that defines the Western Star community.
Read More →
Freightliner MT chassis walkthrough from Work Truck Week 2026, featuring real-world applications, mobile workspaces, and fleet-ready configurations.
Read More →
Check out Isuzu Commercial Truck of America’s latest trucks as Brian Tabel, assistant vice president of marketing, gives us the tour and provides an update on new features and special upfits.
Read More →
Let’s take a look at the latest service bodies from Reading Truck, the RHD-46 and the RHD-67. Plus, in this video, you will learn about the new Combo Body.
Read More →
Take a look at Kenworth’s T880S Performance Hood and hear its advantages from Alex Reid, Kenworth’s vocational marketing manager. He also provides a short overview of the other members of the T880 lineup.
Read More →
Work Truck checks out the Kenworth T480, a workhorse of Kenworth’s vocational lineup. This video tour digs into the details of a Class 8 T480 equipped as a water truck.
Read More →
