McNeilus electric collection vehicle earns zero-emission certifications

McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing's Volterra ZSL, a fully integrated, zero-emission electric refuse collection vehicle, has earned three certifications from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB). 

The McNeilus Volterra ZSL refuse collection vehicle (RCV) is by McNeilus and Oshkosh Corporation. The vehicle brings together Oshkosh's experience in severe duty vehicles and McNeilus' expertise in collection vehicle bodies. It was engineered with technologies and design features covered by more than 50 patents and patent applications. The truck has earned the EPA Heavy Duty Greenhouse Gas Certificate of Conformity, CARB Heavy Duty Greenhouse Gas Executive Order, and the CARB Zero Emissions Powertrain Executive Order certifications.

"The EPA and CARB certifications mark a major milestone in the development of the McNeilus Volterra ZSL refuse vehicle because they provide objective third party evaluations of its design and zero-emission capabilities," said Lee Dreas, vice president and general manager at McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing. "These certifications are the result of a rigorous review process to confirm we have met a very high standard in electric vehicle technology. With the certified zero-emission Volterra ZSL product, we're also providing customers a solution to help achieve their sustainability goals and meet EV requirements." 

The EPA certificate signifies the Volterra ZSL electric refuse vehicle conforms with phase 2 greenhouse gas emissions standards and fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty engines and vehicles. In addition, CARB approvals provide written documentation of compliance with CARB regulations pertaining to greenhouse gas emissions and zero emissions for heavy-duty powertrains. 

CARB recently announced the advanced clean fleets rule, which says refuse vehicle fleets across the state of California must transition to zero emissions by 2040. To support fleet owners with this change, the state offers a variety of purchase incentive programs such as the Hybrid and Zero Emissions Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). By receiving these CARB certifications, the Volterra ZSL refuse vehicle is eligible for purchase vouchers in state incentive programs such as the New Jersey Zero-Emission Inventive Program (NJ ZIP) or California's Hybrid and Zero-Emissions Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP). When listed in the California HVIP catalogue, for example, the Volterra ZSL may become eligible for purchase vouchers up to $120,000 per truck. 

The CARB certifications also satisfy the zero-emissions vehicle reporting requirements necessary for compliance with the advanced clean truck regulations now in effect in eight states.

The Volterra ZSL RCV incorporates technology and design to deliver solutions for driver comfort and safety, total cost of ownership, productivity, serviceability, and sustainability. This product meets or exceeds clean energy mandates and the battery management system is optimized for refuse collection, enabling all-day route collection on a single charge. Other features include an e-axle architecture with a B10-rating of 300,000 miles, plus cooperative regenerative braking and battery preconditioning for outstanding range and compaction.

The McNeilus Volterra ZSL is being produced in a facility in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with the compaction assemblies manufactured at McNeilus headquarters in Minnesota.