Working toward achieving its sustainability goals, the City of Kingston, Ontario, recently ordered two Mack LR Electric battery-electric vehicle (BEV) refuse models. The Mack LR Electric trucks will be the city’s first two BEVs in its refuse fleet.

“Mack is excited that the City of Kingston opted to order two Mack LR Electric vehicles to help assist them in attaining their sustainability targets,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “Mack offers a total ecosystem of support, from grant writing and infrastructure to financing. We remain committed to helping our customers adopt this zero-emissions technology.”

Zero-Emission Fleet Transition Part of Comprehensive Plan

The City of Kingston developed a comprehensive strategic plan for 2023-2026. A key component of the plan is to lead environmental stewardship and climate change, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions from city operations.

To achieve these goals, fleet operations is working on a comprehensive zero-emission fleet transition plan.   

“We are currently targeting reducing our GHG emissions by 30% by 2030,” said Brent Fowler, director of corporate asset management and fleet for the City of Kingston. The LR Electric refuse vehicles are one of multiple strategies the city is leveraging to work toward the achievement of these goals.”

City to Reach Net-Zero Emissions by 2040

The City of Kingston is targeting net-zero emissions by 2040. The Mack LR Electric refuse vehicles will also be the city's first refuse trucks to have an automated side loader (ASL) used for cart-based collection. City leaders plan to transition its fleet to ASLs during the next five years to help improve operator safety and efficiency.

“We are excited for the opportunity to utilize the electric refuse trucks as some of our first ASL vehicles,” said Karen Santucci, director, public works and solid waste for the City of Kingston. “Increased safety for staff combined with a more environmentally friendly truck, offer benefits to both our staff and our residents.”

Kingston’s fleet currently includes 14 garbage trucks, seven recyclers, and two medium-duty packers. While the LR Electric models will be the first BEVs in the refuse fleet, Kingston has two electric transit buses, six electric ice re-surfacers, and 35 light-duty battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).

For initial charging infrastructure, Kingston will deploy two portable 50kW Heliox chargers purchased through Mack, and they also have a 150kW DC fast-charger option through their transit bus depot if required.

Mack LR Electric Features and Capabilities

The next generation Mack LR Electric offers a standard 376 kWh total battery capacity for 42% more energy and an 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.

Why the City Chose the Mack LR Electric

Fowler said executives chose the Mack LR Electric model for multiple reasons, including the availability of local dealer support, Mack’s participation in the Canoe/Sourcewell Group procurement programs, and the comprehensive Mack Ultra Service Maintenance Agreement offering. The procurement programs help streamline Kingston’s municipal procurement process while meeting all municipal and public sector procurement by-laws and trade treaties.

The Mack Ultra Service Agreement gives Mack LR Electric customers a unique uptime package tailored specifically for the technical needs of BEVs. It includes scheduled maintenance, preventative maintenance, towing and repair, a battery monitoring service, and Mack’s connected uptime services in one package that can be included with monthly truck payments. 

The LR Electric and its batteries will be supported by Mack GuardDog Connect, Mack’s integrated telematics solution that helps customers achieve peak operating conditions and maximize uptime. The connected service monitors battery health and performance and checks for fault codes and defects reported by the battery and electric components of the energy storage system.

Surgenor Truck Centre of Kingston, Ontario, along with the city's in-house fleet maintenance staff will collaborate on service and support of the LR Electric models.