Vision Truck Group, based in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, is now a Mack Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealer.

This designation means that Vision went through stringent requirements so that it would be able to service and support the Mack LR Electric refuse model and any future electrified trucks.

“As our business partners and brand ambassadors it’s important our dealers are aligned with our electrification strategy. Vision Truck Group is a prime example of a forward-looking, customer-focused dealer that is paving the way for a sustainable future,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “We congratulate them on becoming a Mack Certified Electric Vehicle Dealer and applaud their investment in training and infrastructure to service current and future electrified products.”

The EV-certification process is outlined by Mack and dictates various safety, charging, tooling, and training requirements, in addition to infrastructure updates to handle fast-charging equipment.

Vision Truck Group began the certification process of their Brampton location in early 2022. The facility has 30 technicians, 14 of whom are master techs and two of whom are certified EV technicians.

Of their 34 service bays, two are dedicated to battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) with the ability to expand when the need arises. During the certification process a 50kw Heliox portable fast charger was installed.

“As a company, Vision Truck Group is dedicated to sustainability. The Brampton facility was designed to be safe, ergonomic and efficient. We are a paperless operation, and our entire building is designed to minimize its impact on the environment,” said Travis Brown, Vision Truck Group vice president of product support.

“We are more than excited to extend that philosophy to our customers who want a Mack LR electric and look forward to helping them with the sales and service.” 

Certified EV Dealer Process

Vision has been serving the heavy truck industry in Ontario for more than 50 years. Opened in 2019, the Brampton dealership was designed as a dedicated Certified Uptime Dealer facility with 34 bays, 16 of which are Uptime and Intermediate Bays. The dealership offers 88,000 square-feet dedicated to sales and service, with $5 million in parts inventory.

The service department has dedicated check-in, check-out and billing counters to eliminate customer bottlenecks, as well as a dedicated drive-through check-in queue capable of simultaneous multiple unit check-ins.

“The process for becoming a Certified EV Dealer was clear and concise,” Brown said. “The process was documented by Mack, and we worked together to achieve our mutual goal of providing innovative, environmentally sustainable solutions to meet our customers’ needs.”

Vision Truck Group operates four additional locations – Cambridge, Etobicoke, Stoney Creek, and London, Ontario. The Brampton location is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 2 a.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

The next generation Mack LR Electric refuse vehicle is assembled at Lehigh Valley Operations (LVO), Macungie, Pennsylvania, where all Mack Class 8 vehicles for North America and export are assembled. It offers 42 percent more energy and a standard 376kWh total battery capacity for increased range between charges. Twin electric motors with 448 continuous horsepower and a 4,051 lb.-ft. of peak torque output from zero RPM power the vehicle and enable zero tailpipe emissions, improved sustainability and a quieter vehicle for refuse collection.

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. A copper-colored Bulldog on the cab denoting the electric drivetrain makes the LR Electric easily identifiable as a Mack truck.

The Mack LR Electric may be fitted with equipment bodies from numerous manufacturers. The driver/passenger side driving configurations, as well as seating choices and door options, offered in the LR Electric are the same as are offered in the diesel-powered Mack LR model.

Mack recently announced a target of 35% of its global sales will be fully electric by 2030, which the Mack LR Electric will help fulfill.

In other news, Casella Waste Systems also bought Vermont's first Mack LR Electric as its electric refuse truck. The Mack LR Electric helps the communities by reducing emissions and saving on fuel costs.