North America’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric refuse collection truck
San Francisco will debut the hydrogen-powered truck, followed by trials in California and Canada
Recology has begun testing North America's first hydrogen-powered refuse truck, built as a partnership between refuse truck body manufacturer New Way Trucks and fuel cell manufacturer and technology developer Hyzon.
Recology is the first waste and recycling company to pilot this hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric refuse vehicle in the U.S., and San Francisco will be the first city in North America to test it on urban streets.
Growing an already green fleet
Recology has long emphasized fleet sustainability. In 2019, the first U.S. electric Class 8 rear loader in the U.S. was introduced to the streets of Seattle. Since then, Recology has tested electric collection vehicles throughout its operations and has prioritized the use of renewable or alternative fuels in its fleet - reducing the company's emissions from fuel use by more than 77 percent since 2018.
Recology's trial of North America's first hydrogen-powered refuse trucks in San Francisco aligns with efforts to bring a similar technology to the ferry boats that traverse San Francisco Bay every day.
"Addressing climate change and air pollution, regionally and nationally, requires us to look at the vehicles we rely on every day to provide essential services to our communities. Recology has long partnered with the city to protect our environment by pioneering how we reduce waste. Now I'm excited to see how Recology is also helping us meet our aggressive greenhouse reduction goals through cleaner vehicles," said Tyrone Jue, director of the San Francisco Environment Department.
Given the number of waste collection trucks on the nation's roadways on any given day, the transition to zero-emission vehicles is a critical element of the United States' strategy to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"Considering there are more than 140,000 refuse trucks operating across the market today, waste collection presents an ideal application to showcase the viability of hydrogen fuel cell technology across the environmental services industry," said Eric Evans, chief product officer for New Way.
Where will hydrogen collection trucks go next?
Recology leadership got an early look at the new technology late last year, and New Way and Hyzon debuted the hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric refuse vehicle at WasteExpo 2024. New Way's experience in refuse collection and Hyzon's focus on providing zero-emission fuel cell systems to decarbonize demanding industries promise to make electric refuse collection a reality for the North American waste and recycling industry.
"When I saw the incredible strides New Way and Hyzon were making toward a zero-emission future for our industry, I knew that Recology needed to bring this technology to San Francisco," said Salvatore M. Coniglio, chief executive officer of Recology.
In partnering with Recology to be the first to test North America's first hydrogen refuse collection vehicle, New Way chief sales officer Don Ross said, "Recology's commitment to implementing clean energy initiatives makes them the perfect partner to begin these trials. This hydrogen-powered refuse collection vehicle is being designed to best meet the needs of waste haulers who are championing alternative, sustainable solutions, and there is no better place to start these trials than in the San Francisco Bay Area with Recology, a company well-known for its sustainability initiatives."
The hydrogen-powered refuse truck will be put to the test on routes in San Francisco over the course of two weeks. After piloting this unique truck in San Francisco, Recology will test it in other Bay Area cities. New Way and Hyzon have scheduled additional trials throughout California later this year, to be followed by more trials in Canada.
Recology's trial aims to confirm that zero-emission vehicles have the power and range required to complete collection routes and transport heavy loads. The companies are confident it will meet the challenge.
Hydrogen fuel cells vs. diesel vs. CNG
Recology's trials with New Way and Hyzon will build on the success of Hyzon's electric refuse collection vehicle trials in Australia, which have demonstrated that hydrogen fuel cell technology is a viable replacement for traditional heavy-duty diesel engines. All three companies look to show that the New Way-Hyzon hydrogen fuel-cell refuse collection vehicle is overcoming some of the inherent challenges identified with other zero-emission technologies, such as range issues, fluctuations in operating temperatures, and payload limitations.
"Our New Way Sidewinder automated side loader, combined with the consistent and regenerative power of Hyzon's hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain, offers a lighter weight refuse vehicle, with similar range and performance as the diesel and CNG trucks," Evans said.
Additionally, to further prove hydrogen fuel cells as a more sustainable option in the refuse industry, Hyzon has launched its Class 8 200kW FCEV tractor-trailer trial program, which Recology also plans to trial.
Hyzon's high-performance hydrogen fuel cell systems have been shown to provide consistent power over an expected range of at least 125 miles, including at least 1,200 cart lifts, along with trips to transfer stations.
