Emterra Group, one of the largest integrated resource management companies in Canada, recently ordered a Mack® LR Electric Class 8 refuse vehicle to help the company fulfill its environmental and sustainability goals. “Emterra has been a company on the leading edge of providing progressive green solutions for a number of years, and we are pleased that they chose the Mack LR Electric as its first electric vehicle in the fleet,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of sales and commercial operations. “Mack is pleased we are delivering Mack LR Electric refuse vehicles to customers to meet their timetables and their sustainability goals.”
The Mack LR Electric will be the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) in Emterra’s fleet that will service the Peel Region in Ontario, Canada. In 2019, Peel’s Regional Council declared a climate emergency and approved the Region’s Climate Change Master Plan. The plan has an interim target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45% below 2010 levels by 2030 and enabling the community’s transition to a low carbon and resilient Community for Life. The Mack LR Electric refuse model will help the Peel Region, one of the fastest growing regions in Canada, to achieve its GHG reduction ambitions and was the primary reason Emterra chose to operate the vehicle there. Emterra currently operates 150 refuse vehicles in Peel Region, most of which are powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
“Reducing emissions and ensuring waste is collected in an environmentally responsible manner are important outcomes for the Region of Peel,” said Norman Lee, director of Waste Management for the Region of Peel. “We are very excited to be part of this progressive initiative. Having the first Mack LR Electric vehicle servicing our community brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions from residential waste management.”
“This is a pivotal moment for Emterra to reinforce our commitment to be a catalyst of change since our founding in 1976, with one woman and a truck collecting cardboard and newspaper from back alleys,” said Paulina Leung, Emterra’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “Since then, we’ve expanded our mission of transforming waste into resources in the circular economy across Canada and into the state of Michigan. We chose to order the Mack LR Electric because of Mack’s leadership in producing reliable and durable refuse vehicles, and we are confident that they can match our execution timelines to receive the vehicle this year.”
The next generation Mack LR Electric was launched in March 2022. The LR Electric 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.
The cab of the LR Electric model features a copper-colored Bulldog to signify the all-electric powertrain. The same driver- and passenger-side configurations, as well as seat and door option 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.
Emterra’s LR Electric will be equipped with an automated side-loader and will operate in residential areas. Leung said the company is very interested in the proof of concept for the vehicle since Canada’s climate is very different than the U.S., so mining the data collected will prove impactful. “Nobody doubts the environmental impact, and we are excited to learn how the LR Electric will help us recruit and retain the next generation of drivers,” Leung said. “We’re also pleased that Mack offers the Ultra Service Agreement, giving us peace of mind.”