Republic Services and Mack Trucks have formed a partnership that allows Republic to field-test four pre-production diesel garbage trucks equipped with selective catalytic reduction technology and to field test the first American-built Mack Diesel Hybrid garbage truck.


Phoenix-based Republic is field testing the SCR prototype trucks in Denver (high altitude); Eden Prairie, Minn. (cold climate); and Lakeland and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (humid climate). Using SCR technology, the trucks meet the U.S. EPA 2010 emission regulations without using engine emission credits.

"Republic has been field testing the Mack SCR prototype garbage collection chassis," said Ron Cole, regional fleet sales manager for Mack Trucks. "This quickens the pace of our development of technologies that can be implemented immediately to protect our environment. Republic and Mack will continue to partner in the development of hybrid diesel-electric prototypes as both our companies explore opportunities to adopt hybrid at the heavy duty level for the collection of wastes and recyclables."

"Using SCR technology now and hybrid technology later is a two-pronged approach," said Roy Svehla, senior manager of fleet maintenance for Republic. "Working with Mack, we are striving to develop equipment that serves our business from cost, service and maintenance perspectives. Chassis life cycles, operating, procurement and maintenance costs, driver ergonomics, safety, environmental compliance and dealer support are all factored into the equation when we make our purchasing decisions."

Mack says its diesel electric hybrid technology provides the maximum fuel savings on routes with frequent braking and accelerations. This means that in addition to refuse collection work, it's good for urban delivery runs and certain construction applications.

Mack estimates its hybrid system can boost fuel economy by about 20 percent while cutting greenhouse emissions and the cost of maintenance.

In addition to its work at highway speeds, the engine also charges an onboard energy storage system, which provides power to the electric motor when demand is high. Energy that is generated during braking is captured and stored using regenerative braking.

Republic Services provides trash collection services to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers in 40 states and Puerto Rico through its 400 collection companies. Republic Services owns or operates 242 transfer stations, 213 solid waste landfills and 78 recycling facilities.