Yonkers Insider: City of Yonkers: ***NEWS RELEASE***: CITY OF YONKERS TESTS RUNS GARBAGE COLLECTION USING 100% ELECTRIC REFUSE TRUCK.

 

CITY OF YONKERS TESTS RUNS GARBAGE COLLECTION USING 100% ELECTRIC REFUSE TRUCK.

 

 

Yonkers, NY -- December 22, 2022 -- In its continued efforts to phase in low and zero-emission vehicle alternatives to the Yonkers fleet, the City of Yonkers put a 100% electric refuse garbage truck to the test this month on the City’s varied terrain. The zero-emission garbage collection was part of a demonstration program enabling municipalities likes Yonkers to test the heavy-duty electric vehicle technology on an actual garbage collection route. Operators navigated the truck along Yonkers’ west side between Lake Avenue and Ashburton Avenue.

 

“We want to continue to move the City of Yonkers forward with greener alternatives like this one. Zero-emissions trucks will promote cleaner and healthier air for our City and less noise in our communities, especially during those early morning collections,” said Mayor Spano. “I’m happy to report the vehicle performed well on our noteworthy hilly terrain. While we haven’t made a determination on purchasing a vehicle like this, we know it will be cost-effective when it comes to fuel and maintenance costs.”

 

Department of Public Works Commissioner Thomas Meier said, “This demonstration program has shown that electric vehicle technology can be effectively applied to our heavy-duty refuse collection operations. I am excited about the opportunity to bring cleaner, healthier and quieter refuse collection to Yonkers neighborhoods, while further cutting fuel costs, emissions, and advancing the environmental goals established under Mayor Spano’s leadership.”

 

The demonstration supports the advancement of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano’s Green Fleet program, launched in 2020, which requires the replacement of gas-powered City vehicles with low and zero-emission alternatives. While the City has already converted dozens of light-duty vehicles from gas to hybrid and fully electric models, Mayor Spano and Department of Public Works Commissioner Thomas Meier are committed to bringing Yonkers into a clean, emission-free garbage collection future.

 

The City is currently reviewing funding sources and vehicle production schedules with the intent to purchase an electric refuse vehicle for service in 2024.

 

B-roll of the electric refuse truck demonstration is available here.