Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Sacramento to Run Electric Garbage Truck on Regular Routes

The City of Sacramento, California, says it will run one of the first all-electric garbage trucks on regular routes in the area.

by Staff
June 13, 2017
Sacramento to Run Electric Garbage Truck on Regular Routes

The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain, installed on the Sacramento electric refuse truck, transforms a chassis meant to be diesel-powered to one with zero-emission all-electric drive. Image: Motiv

2 min to read


The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain, installed on the Sacramento electric refuse truck, transforms a chassis meant to be diesel-powered to one with zero-emission all-electric drive. Image: Motiv

The City of Sacramento, California, says it will run one of the first all-electric garbage trucks on regular routes in the area.

The automated left side loader garbage truck features a Motiv Power Systems all-electric powertrain, built on a Crane Carrier chassis with a body built by Loadmaster. The city plans to run the truck on residential and recycling routes throughout the city.

Ad Loading...

Sacramento specified that the truck must be able to meet the same demands placed on all of its garbage trucks, including running three routes per day to remove trash, recycling, and green waste in a downtown neighborhood.

“The City of Sacramento intends to prove that all-electric refuse trucks are the future of the industry, and we anticipate igniting that trend."

“Reducing harmful vehicle emissions in the Sacramento region is a primary focus of our sustainability policy, and the most effective way to achieve that goal is to implement electric vehicles into our fleet," said Mark Stevens, fleet manager for Sacramento. “The City of Sacramento intends to prove that all-electric refuse trucks are the future of the industry, and we anticipate igniting that trend."

Ad Loading...

The truck is equipped with 10 battery packs, expandable to 12 packs for future route expansion. Using Motiv’s Universal High Power Charger, the vehicle’s batteries will reach full charge overnight. Sacramento expects to save as much as 6,000 gallons of fuel per year, with the electric truck replacing a conventional diesel refuse truck that averages 2.8 mpg.

Motiv's All-Electric Powertrain uses off-the-shelf batteries and motors, which can be mixed and matched to fit the exact size and duty cycle of the electric truck needed. It can handle EV trucks from medium-duty to heavy-duty, weighing 14,000 pounds to 60,000 pounds, according to Motiv. The All-Electric Powertrain is designed to be assembled using existing diesel chassis infrastructure.

"The value of the City of Sacramento's zero-emission ERV goes beyond lower fuel and maintenance cost and strict payback," said Jim Castelaz, Motiv chief operating officer. "Reducing the amount of diesel-fueled refuse trucks in the city keeps communities safer from toxic diesel emissions.”

Related: Los Angeles Completes Battery-Electric Refuse Truck Demo

More Fuel Smarts

Red Kenworth truck pulling Paper Transport trailer
Fuel Smartsby Deborah LockridgeJune 2, 2026

Lessons Learned About Alternative Fuels: Start Small, Stay Flexible

Practical advice on adopting alternative fuels and ZEVs from HDT's 2026 Top Green Fleets, from renewable diesel and natural gas to electric trucks.

Read More →
Composite image of different angles of the Kempower charger
Fuel Smartsby News/Media ReleaseMay 29, 2026

Kempower Adds Flex EV Charger to Help Support Transition to Megawatt Charging

The Kempower Mega Satellite Flex has both a CCS and MCS connector, allowing operators to serve both types of heavy-duty vehicles.

Read More →
White Hino Le electric tractor on show floor
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 26, 2026

Hino Adds Electric Class 6/7 Truck

Hino says the Le Series is an important step in the company's efforts to reduce environmental impact and support its customers’ sustainability goals.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Sigma Powertrain BEV transmission.
Fuel Smartsby Jack RobertsMay 26, 2026

Can Multi-Speed EV Transmissions Solve Heavy Trucking’s Biggest Electric-Vehicle Problems?

A startup called Sigma Powertrain believes purpose-built multi-speed gearboxes can boost efficiency, reduce battery size and improve gradeability for heavy-duty battery-electric trucks.

Read More →
Red Hendrickson e-axle at ACT Expo booth
Equipmentby News/Media ReleaseMay 22, 2026

Hendrickson Debuts Electraax E-Axle for Medium-Duty Trucks

Developed with Driventic, Hendrickson's new integrated e-axle is designed to improve efficiency, reduce weight, and extend range in Class 6-7 EV applications.

Read More →
Fueling trucks.
Fuel SmartsCover Storyby Deborah LockridgeMay 18, 2026

50 Ways Fleets Can Cut Fuel Costs Now — Without Buying New Trucks

Fuel savings don’t come from one big change. They come from dozens of small ones. Here’s how leading fleets are stacking gains across drivers, routing, maintenance, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Collage of HDT Top Green Fleets with logo
Fuel Smartsby Deborah LockridgeMay 18, 2026

Top Green Fleets 2026: How Fleets Are Reducing Emissions in the Real World

What works in sustainable trucking today? Heavy Duty Trucking's Top Green Fleets are finding practical ways to cut fuel use, reduce emissions, and keep freight moving.

Read More →
Tesla Semi electric truck on display at ACT Expo
Fuel Smartsby News/Media ReleaseMay 13, 2026

California Launching $1 Billion Electric Truck Rebate Program

CARB says the California Clean Fuel Reward program will begin offering point-of-sale rebates of up to $120,000 for electric commercial trucks starting June 26.

Read More →
Closeup of engine in Mack truck
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeMay 13, 2026

Mack Unveils EPA 2027-Compliant MP13 Engine With More Power, Better Fuel Economy

Along with unveiling its EPA 2027-compliant MP13 engine, Mack outlined powertrain changes across its Class 6-8 lineup, including new Cummins-based X10 engines.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Crowd at Volvo booth at ACT Expo
Equipmentby Deborah LockridgeMay 8, 2026

How Volvo’s New D13 Engine Meets EPA 2027 Emissions Without Sacrificing Power or Fuel Efficiency

Volvo says advances in combustion and aftertreatment helped its new EPA 2027 D13 engine avoid the fuel-economy penalties many once expected from tighter NOx emissions limits.

Read More →