Lion Electric & Boivin Evolution Start Selling Electric Garbage Truck

Electric garbage trucks, for whatever reason, have long been one of my favorite types of electric vehicles. They’re so large and heavy that electric ones can replace many clouds of pollution. They have fixed, clear routes, making it easy to ensure you have enough range for the job. They don’t go on cross-country road trips — as far as I know.

So, it’s with great enthusiasm that I’m writing about a new electric garbage truck that has started making it into customer hands. Additionally, it looks really cool.

The Lion8 chassis plus “fully automated side load bodies” from Lion Electric and Boivin Evolution will be used by Waste Connections in Florida and Washington. Lion Electric claims these are “the first applications of zero-emission trucks with fully electric waste collection bodies and automated arms in North America.” (I thought BYD offered the same combo, but maybe I’m misunderstanding something about the mechanics and features of these trucks.)

It’s unclear how many of the trucks were ordered, but we’ve reached out to find out and will update this article if we get a response.

We are proud to announce the first sales of Lion8 zero emission refuse trucks with fully automated side load bodies to Waste Connections! Learn more: https://t.co/vmJ0wQMswD@BoivinEvolution pic.twitter.com/hGRkTjucLc

— Lion Electric (@LionElectricCo) July 6, 2020

Here are some of the key specs and features of the electric garbage truck, via Lion Electric:

• Range of 130 miles for a full day of operation (1,200 homes) on a single charge
• No noise pollution
• Optimal visibility and turning radius
• Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• No hydraulic pumps, valves, tubings, hoses and fluid. All arm and body movements are powered by the battery that drives electric motors for each function
• Overnight recharging when the truck is not in operation and when demand for electricity is lower, which reduces energy costs
• Savings of up to 80% on total energy costs
• 60% lower service costs thanks to the simple, low-maintenance electric powertrain that has few components
• Oil-free operation with very few moving parts
• Longer lasting brakes due to regenerative braking system

We’ve covered electric garbage trucks with hopeful eyes for years. Here are a few related stories:

• BYD Delivers 1st All-Electric Automated Side-Loader Garbage Truck To City Of Palo Alto & GreenWaste
• Motiv Power Systems Deploying 2 All-Electric Garbage Trucks In Los Angeles
• Wrightspeed & Ratto Group Launch 1st Commercial Range-Extended Electric Refuse Truck
• World’s 1st All-Electric Sanitation Truck Lineup Launched By BYD & Beijing Environmental Sanitation Engineering Group

Images via Lion Electric and Boivin Evolution