Mobile, Alabama, to add first electric vehicle to fleet of collection trucks

The City of Mobile, Alabama, has ordered a Mack LR Electric Class 8 refuse vehicle to help the city achieve its goals of being a more energy-efficient city.

The Mack LR Electric model will be the City of Mobile's first electric vehicle to operate in its fleet of 26 refuse trucks. Mobile received funds from the Volkswagen lawsuit settlement which enabled the purchase of the LR Electric vehicle. The city plans to continue to seek grants to help with the purchase of charging stations and the development of an electric vehicle plan, says Chief Resilience Officer Casi Callaway at the City of Mobile.

"As the first electric vehicle in our public services fleet, we wanted something that could keep up with our existing trucks and our team members could quickly learn to operate," says Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson. "The LR Electric provides the kind of comfort and usability we wanted for our staff, as well as the reliability we've come to expect from a Mack truck."

The City of Mobile chose the Mack LR Electric as its first electric vehicle purchase because of Mack's commitment to a delivery schedule that met the Mobile's needs. Mack also offered the specific type of electric refuse vehicle the City needed, Callaway says.

Four NMC (nickel manganese cobalt oxide) lithium-ion batteries, charged through a 150 kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system, power the Mack LR Electric model and all onboard accessories through 12V, 24V, and 600V circuits. Twin electric motors produce 448 continuous horsepower and 4,051 lb.-ft. of peak torque output from zero RPM. The two-stage regenerative braking system helps recapture energy from the vehicle's daily stops with an increasing load.

The City of Mobile's Mack LR Electric will be equipped with an automated side-loader and will operate in residential areas. Mobile is investing in a portable superfast DC charger. Callaway says a portable charging station will enable the city to test different locations and serve as backup support once permanent charging stations are chosen and installed. The City of Mobile's LR Electric model will be supported by Gulf Coast Truck & Equipment Co.