Home » McNeilus Announces First Order of Fully Integrated Electric RCVs with Republic Services

McNeilus Announces First Order of Fully Integrated Electric RCVs with Republic Services

fleetnewsdaily | September 26, 2023

McNeilus will build 50 of its Volterra ZSL zero emission refuse collection vehicles for Republic Services, with delivery planned in 2024

McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, has received the first order from Republic Services for its fully integrated McNeilus® Volterra™ ZSL™ electric refuse collection vehicle and will initially build 50 vehicles for them, with delivery starting in June 2024.
The deal more than doubles the number of electric refuse collection vehicles from any
manufacturer operating in the field today.

The purpose-built electric refuse collection vehicle (eRCV) will be produced in a new,
state-of-the-art facility in Murfreesboro, Tenn., with the compaction assemblies
manufactured at McNeilus headquarters in Minnesota.

The McNeilus® Volterra™ ZSL™ product is certified zero emission by the California Air
Resources Board (CARB), providing a solution to haulers looking to move toward more
sustainable operations and meet clean fleet goals. The CARB certifications also satisfy the
zero-emissions vehicle reporting requirements needed to comply with Advanced Clean
Truck regulations now in effect in eight states.
“As the operator of one of the nation’s largest fleets, Republic Services is uniquely
positioned to advance decarbonization through our commitment to electrification,” said
Brett Rogers, Republic Services vice president of operations technology. “We are leading
the industry with the first McNeilus order and on track for half of our new truck purchases
to be electric by 2028. We believe these electric vehicles will benefit our drivers through

advanced safety and ergonomic features, and benefit the communities we serve through
reduced emissions and quieter operation.”

Republic Services provided valuable insights to McNeilus’ engineering team regarding
operational, safety and ergonomic features for the vehicle. The McNeilus Volterra ZSL is
designed from the ground up to offer customers like Republic Services a single OEM
electric vehicle solution. All systems and functions are designed to work together and
purpose-built for tough refuse collection environments – from the compaction
components to the battery management system to the on-board telematics and active
safety systems. The fully integrated custom cab and chassis set the Volterra ZSL eRCV
apart from all other refuse vehicles, which require the mounting of a refuse body to a
third-party chassis.
“We are proving the value in this first-of-its kind fully integrated, electric refuse collection
vehicle, and we are pleased to partner with Republic Services on this first order,” said Lee
Dreas, vice president and general manager, McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing.
“McNeilus is committed to electrification and other innovations to advance sustainability
initiatives in communities across the country and more Volterra ZSL orders with other
customers are in the pipeline.”
McNeilus leaned on its expertise in refuse collection bodies and partnered with parent
company Oshkosh Corporation and its nearly 30 years of electrification experience to
bring this latest refuse vehicle to market. The Volterra ZSL zero emission RCV features
38% more space in the cab compared to the industry average, plus a sophisticated
drivetrain that includes advanced lithium-ion batteries and a revolutionary electric-axle
system. It will perform a full day’s refuse collection route on a single charge and is
designed to minimize environmental impact and reduce noise in communities across the
country, while helping customers meet their sustainability initiatives.
The ergonomically designed cab incorporates a series of features and components to
optimize comfort and safety including a Direct Vision Standard 5-star rating for visibility,
as well as a 360-degree camera and radar system to provide enhanced visibility. Easy,
consistent operation is delivered in part through Oshkosh’s Advanced Driver Assistance
Systems (ADAS), which are offered as standard equipment and provide complete vehicle
coverage. Other features include a 15-inch step height for ease of getting in and out of
the cab, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel with integrated controls, an aligned driver
workspace, heated and ventilated seats, integrated operator controls in the seat,
automated full-length sun shade, a 15-inch touchscreen and 12-inch cluster displays for
streamlined controls, and enhanced storage areas.