J&M Sanitation, a family-owned business serving Kuna, Idaho, has deployed two BYD all-electric Class 8 refuse trucks, the first such battery-electric, zero-emission vehicles in Idaho, according to the manufacturer.

“I want to encourage legislators from across the country and government officials from the energy department to consider legislation that encourages other waste removal companies to make this change sooner. If a small company like ours can make the change, larger companies can too," said J&M Owner and CEO Tim Gordon.

The trucks are replacing two current diesel vehicles, with the goal of a cleaner air and a lower carbon footprint.

The BYD 8R heavy-duty trucks feature BYD’s proprietary electric propulsion system designed specifically for refuse collection. With 295kWh of battery capacity, the trucks are built to support a full day’s operations.

The cabs, chassis, and propulsion systems were built by BYD and are equipped with 31-yard automated side-loader bodies made by Amrep, a refuse truck body manufacturer. The all-electric trucks feature an all-Hardox 450 body shell, providing increased strength and durability with a 175k psi rated hopper and body. BYD notes that this offers an exterior four-times stronger than ordinary mild steel grades, while weighing 20% less than a traditional refuse truck.

“Our company made this investment to not only serve the community we love but also preserve the community,” said operation manager Chad Gordon of J&M Sanitation. “We are a small, family-owned business. We care enough about our environment that we wanted to make the switch to zero-emission, electric vehicles. It is time for our industry to make changes to help preserve the natural beauty of our world. We can make a difference and we wanted to be a catalyst for change.”

J&M Sanitation trucks run each weekday, each serving about 800 Kuna homes resulting in 1,065 lifts of the arm daily and approximately 18 tons of refuse collected.

Without opportunity charging, each of the trucks can return following a completed route with 18% remaining State of Charge (SOC). J&M plans to utilize opportunity charging– plugging in during routine downtime – to maintain additional SOC throughout their routes.

“As the waste management industry seeks to provide zero-emission trucks for the communities they serve, J&M Sanitation is demonstrating with BYD that battery-electric trucks are ready to fully support their operations,” said Aaron Gillmore, BYD’s vice president of truck business. “Our trucks are hard at work every day, proving that electric is the new standard.”