Stuttgart will work with Mercedes‐Benz to decarbonise waste management

The city’s hilly layout will provide a perfect testing ground for the new electric waste truck eEconic

Last Saturday, authorities in Stuttgart announced the first fully electric waste collection truck joining the city’s vehicle fleet. The eEconic, as the model is called, was produced by Mercedes‐Benz in 2022, and is one of the few fully electric heavy vehicles currently fit for commercial activity.

The waste collection truck will be part of a test project for both the municipality and Mercedes‐Benz. This is because Stuttgart is a very hilly city and both partners wish to see how effective a fully electric drive would be at hauling the 27-ton vehicle.

One of the major concerns with electric vehicles of all types is the range, meaning how long can an electric battery run before it needs refuelling. Additionally, with elevation, the difference in elevation can suck up valuable power.

The benefits of electric vehicles

Introducing electric vehicles to the municipal fleet has a lot of potential benefits, though. One of those is reducing the noise pollution of the waste collection fleet, electric vehicles are less noisy.

Also, Markus Töpfer, Managing Director of Stuttgart’s waste collection company explained that they have been trying to switch to electric for years now. He pointed out that electric waste trucks are more sustainable and help with lowering emissions.

However, he continued, up to this point, there have not been suitable offers of vehicles that can handle the load. Nevertheless, decarbonisation has been underway in the city’s waste management company since 2011. Additionally, the city wants to become climate neutral by 2035.

According to an official statement by the city, the waste management company has been able to convert 40% of their vehicles into hybrids and reach emissions reduction quotas well in advance. Nevertheless, Mr Töpfer explained that to go continue decarbonising the municipality’s vehicle emissions, sooner of later, they need to go electric.