Leeds goes big with electric Mercedes-Benz eEconic bin trucks
Leeds City Council in the UK has taken a major step towards cleaner, greener refuse collection by adding the first three battery-powered Mercedes-Benz eEconic trucks to its fleet.
The council calculates that each vehicle will generate a saving of 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, so 45 tonnes per year in total, compared to diesel-powered trucks. It also bringing improved air quality and lower noise to the communities they serve.
Supplied via refuse collection vehicle specialist FAUN Zoeller UK, the vehicles are equipped with 22 m3 Variopress compactor bodies and Rotary 3 bin lifters. These are built onto Mercedes-Benz eEconic 300 chassis, with 27-tonne gross weights and 6×2 drivelines, supplied by a local dealer, which will also provide ongoing maintenance and technical support.
The trucks have joined a busy operation. Leeds City Council collects over half a million waste and recycling bins per week from households across its area, sending out 75 trucks and crews on six days every week and running the country’s largest free garden waste collection service under a single local authority.
Leeds Council’s electric trucks will slot into its existing fleet seamlessly. Charging will take place overnight at the Council’s award winning, modern eco-designed depot, which means that the trucks will be ready to work each morning when the teams arrive at 6am.
The Mercedes-Benz eEconic is designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle. Its motors are located within the twin-speed eAxle. With no need for a prop shaft energy efficiency is maximised, while chassis space can be freed up for the batteries to be set across the full width of the vehicle. This helps to create a low centre of gravity which, in turn, translates into improved driving dynamics. The motors drive through a special transmission with two forward and two reverse gears, allowing the truck to cruise at up to 55 mph.
The eEconic 300 has a rear-steer axle and is fitted with three battery packs, for a total installed capacity of 336kWh – these are covered by a six-year warranty. The batteries can be recharged from 20 to 80 per cent in 75 minutes, using a 400A 160kW charger.
Other standard features include the innovative Multimedia Cockpit with twin display screens, electronic parking brake, Keyless Go and LED headlights, and a market-leading suite of safety systems such as Sideguard Assist, Active Brake Assist 5, Lane Keeping Assist and Reversing Assistance. Operators also benefit from a six-year connectivity package, giving free access to a range of digital support services