City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, executives recently ordered two Mack® LR Electric models to help them move toward the city’s goal of having a fully electric fleet. The Mack LR Electric vehicles will be the first Class 8 electric trucks in the Cambridge refuse collection fleet. “The City of Cambridge chose Mack to help it achieve its sustainability goals, and we couldn’t be prouder to help them with their achievements through the deployment of the Mack LR Electric,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “City executives did their research to ensure that they ordered an electric refuse vehicle that met their needs as well as their delivery target, and Mack is looking forward to working with them as they begin their journey to electrification.”
The Mack LR Electric vehicles will operate in a residential area of the city and will be equipped with rear-loader bodies. Cambridge, population of about 117,000, currently has 18 refuse vehicles in its fleet, which services 6.3 square miles of a densely populated area. The next generation Mack LR Electric, launched in March 2022 offers a standard 376 kWh total battery capacity for 42 percent more energy and increased range between vehicle charges. Twin electric motors produce 448 continuous horsepower and 4,051 lb.-ft. of peak torque output from zero RPM.
Four NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion batteries, charged through a 150 kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system, power the vehicle and all onboard accessories through 12V, 24V and 600V circuits. The two-stage regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle makes each day with an increasing load. Featuring a copper-colored Bulldog on the cab of the LR Electric to signify the all-electric powertrain, the LR Electric offers the same driver- and passenger-side configurations, as well as seat and door options, as those that are available on the diesel-powered Mack LR model. The LR Electric can be fitted with bodies from various manufacturers to meet each customer’s unique set of needs.
To help simplify the purchase process and help customers better manage expenses associated with acquiring the Mack LR Electric model, Mack recently launched its all-inclusive Vehicle-as-a-Service (VaaS). VaaS includes the vehicle chassis, the refuse body, applicable taxes and a comprehensive vehicle protection plan, the Mack Ultra Service Agreement, for the Mack LR Electric model. The Mack Ultra Service Agreement, a comprehensive uptime package that is standard on all Mack LR Electric models, includes scheduled maintenance, preventative maintenance, towing and repair, a battery monitoring service and Mack’s connected uptime services in one package. It can be included with monthly truck payments for customers in the U.S. and Canada through Mack Financial Services (MFS). Mack also provides access to strategic supplier partnerships, investigating available funding opportunities and making key charging infrastructure recommendations to support their short- and long-term EV needs.
Ballard Mack in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, will offer service and support for the City of Cambridge.