The City of Kingston, Ontario, orders two Mack electric collection vehicles

The City of Kingston, Ontario, has ordered two Mack LR Electric battery-electric vehicle (BEV) refuse models. The Mack LR Electric vehicles 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."

The City of Kingston developed a strategic plan for 2023 to 2026. A main 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, city fleet operations are working on a zero-emission fleet transition plan.

"We are currently targeting reducing our GHG emissions by 30 percent 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."

The City of Kingston is targeting net-zero emissions by 2040. The Mack LR Electric refuse vehicles will also be the city's first collection trucks to have an automated side loader (ASL) used for cart-based collection. City leaders plan to transition the 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 of 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. The city also has a 150kW DC fast-charger option through its transit bus depot if required.

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 Mack Ultra Service Maintenance Agreement offering. The procurement programs will help streamline Kingston's municipal procurement process while meeting all municipal and public sector procurement by-laws and trade treaties.

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.