Mack Trucks Unveils Plug-In Hybrid Trash Truck Chassis

Garbage trucks can weigh a few dozen tons, and given the fact that they stop and start every few yards, they can be incredibly inefficient and burn quite a bit of diesel in the process. Mack's new LR Series low-cab-forward chassis, which was unveiled at WasteExpo in Las Vegas, boasts claims that the truck will reduce fuel consumption by about 70 percent. The truck is outfitted with a Wrightspeed Route 1000 electric powertrain, the brainchild of Tesla Motors Co-founder Ian Wright.

Wright clearly believes in electrification and it's benefits for the planet, but he also believes that such technology is best applied to the biggest consumers of energy; namely medium and heavy duty trucks and buses. The diesel engines that power these trucks can get anywhere from three to six mpg according to Forbes, and can drive as many as 100,000 miles per year.

The Wrightspeed Route 1000 system features a plug-in battery pack that can enable the truck to travel up to 24 miles on a single charge. The battery pack also provides power to four Geared Traction Drive motors (one mounted behind each rear wheel) that can power a vehicle that weighs up to 33 tons up a grade as steep as 40 percent.

When the battery's charge gets low, a turbine generator fueled with either natural gas or diesel recharges it, enabling the battery to get unlimited range with each refueling. The system also includes a 750 kW regenerative braking system, which produces electricity to charge the battery each time the truck comes to a stop. This braking system will also keep maintenance costs down, as it will significantly reduce brake wear.

Companies like FedEx have been testing the Wrightspeed system for several years, but this agreement with Mack is their first installation with an OEM. They plan to begin production of the powertrain in early this fall.