The City of Mobile, Alabama, ordered a Mack LR® Electric Class 8 refuse vehicle to help the city achieve its goals of being a more resilient and energy-efficient city. Mack and the City of Mobile made the announcement today at the City’s Public Works facility. “Mack would like to thank and congratulate the City of Mobile for its advancement toward electrification,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of sales and commercial operations. “For over a century, Mack Trucks has led the refuse segment through many changes, and it’s only natural that Mack once again leads the way with the latest technology. We look forward to furthering our commitment and the City of Mobile’s commitment to sustainability efforts.”
The Mack LR Electric model will be the City of Mobile’s first electric vehicle to operate in its fleet of 26 refuse trucks. Mobile, population 187,000 as of the 2020 Census, received funds from the Volkswagen lawsuit settlement which enabled the purchase of the LR Electric vehicle. The City plans to continue to seek grants to help with the purchase of charging stations and the development of a comprehensive electric vehicle plan, said Chief Resilience Officer Casi Callaway, City of Mobile. “As the first electric vehicle in our public services fleet, we wanted something that could keep up with our existing trucks and our team members could quickly learn to operate,” said Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson. “The LR Electric provides the kind of comfort and usability we wanted for our staff, as well as the reliability we’ve come to expect from a Mack truck.”
The City of Mobile chose the Mack LR Electric as its first electric vehicle purchase because of Mack’s commitment to a delivery schedule that met the City’s needs. Mack also offered the specific type of electric refuse vehicle the City needed, Callaway said. Four NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion batteries, charged through a 150 kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system, power the Mack LR Electric model and all onboard accessories through 12V, 24V and 600V circuits. Twin electric motors produce 448 continuous horsepower and 4,051 lb.-ft. of peak torque output from zero RPM. The two-stage regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the hundreds of stops the vehicle makes each day with an increasing load.
The cab of the LR Electric model features a copper-colored Bulldog to signify its all-electric powertrain. The same driver- and passenger-side configurations, as well as seat and door options, are available for the Mack LR Electric as those that are offered in the diesel Mack LR model. The LR Electric can be fitted with bodies from various manufacturers to meet each customer’s unique set of needs. The City of Mobile’s Mack LR Electric will be equipped with an automated side-loader and will operate in residential areas. Mobile is investing in a Portable Superfast DC Charger. Callaway said a portable charging station will enable the City to test different locations and serve as backup support once permanent charging stations are chosen and installed. The City of Mobile’s LR Electric model will be supported by Gulf Coast Truck & Equipment Co.