New York City is launching a major initiative to electrify the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in the Bronx, aiming to reduce truck emissions and promote green jobs. 

Construction will soon begin on the Big Apple’s freight-focused electric vehicle charging depot, part of a facility that will act as the front door to the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. 

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) said the new development hub will serve as a gateway for clean energy innovation, job creation, and community connection in the Bronx.

The Bronx Is Breathing initiative was designed to tackle the dual challenges facing Hunts Point:

• Environmental challenges from heavy truck traffic serving the nation’s largest wholesale food hub and nine waste transfer facilities.

• Economic insecurity affecting local residents. 

A key part of the initiative is reducing diesel emissions in the area.

By electrifying local truck fleets, the project addresses freight transportation emissions in the area while creating opportunities for community economic participation.

A Multi-Use Urban Development Hub

Development of the new project will be led by MN8 Energy (MN8), a New York City-based developer and one of the largest independent solar energy producers in the United States.

Plans include a charging depot, welcome center and workforce development hub. The proposal will include 32 Direct Current fast chargers, at least 8 of which will be suitable for Class 8 vehicles with trailer-enabled fast charging stalls, and 10 Level-2 chargers. 

The infrastructure will support both medium- and heavy-duty and light-duty electric vehicles, as well as micromobility options such as electric bikes and scooters available 24/7. 

A 12,500-square-foot multi-purpose welcome center and workforce development hub will provide economic mobility, workforce training, and sustainable infrastructure in Hunts Point, NYCDED said. 

The project is anticipated to start development in 2026. 

Supporting Community Environmental Goals

Mack Trucks is playing a role in the project, as well.

As part of the “The Bronx Is Breathing: Reimagining a Cleaner Hunts Point” program, Mack announced the delivery of its first electric refuse vehicle to Royal Waste Services.

Later this year, Volvo Trucks North America will provide four Class 7 VNR Electric trucks to City Harvest, a food rescue organization. 

The trucks will feature battery-electric transport refrigeration units (eTRUs) and use the EV freight hub for charging.

The move marks a significant milestone in bringing clean transportation solutions to one of New York's most underserved communities, Mack said in a press release.

According to Mack, the delivery of the LR Electric refuse truck represents progress toward commitments made under a $10 million award from the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program.

Additionally, the Fulton Fish Market Co-Op, the largest fish market in the U.S., will receive four medium-duty Mack MD model electric vehicles to aid in zero tailpipe-emissions logistics. 

This approach supports both environmental and economic goals in Hunts Point, home to nearly 13,000 residents in the southern tier of the poorest urban congressional district in the United States. 

“This delivery represents more than just a new vehicle,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “It’s a tangible step toward advancing sustainable transportation and demonstrates how the transportation industry can support community environmental goals. The Mack LR Electric offers zero-emission operation while providing Royal Waste Services with a reliable solution for its operations.”

Advanced Electric Technology for Urban Operations

The next-generation Mack LR Electric delivered to Royal Waste Services features a standard 376 kWh total battery capacity, providing 42% more energy and increased range between charges, compared with earlier models. 

Twin electric motors produce 448 continuous horsepower and 4,051 lb.-ft. of peak torque output from zero RPM, making it ideally suited for the stop-and-start nature of urban refuse collection.

The vehicle is equipped with four NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion batteries charged through a 150 kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system. Energy from the two-stage regenerative braking system is recaptured from the hundreds of stops the LR Electric makes each day, maximizing efficiency as its load increases throughout collection routes.

“Integrating this zero-emission Mack LR Electric into our fleet demonstrates that electric refuse collection can be both operationally effective and environmentally responsible," said Michael Angelo Reali, district manager for Royal Waste Services.

“This partnership with Mack Trucks and the broader Bronx Is Breathing initiative allows us to serve the Hunts Point community while reducing our environmental footprint and supporting the transition to cleaner transportation solutions.”