By Abbas Nazil
Mack Trucks has delivered its first LR Electric refuse truck to Royal Waste Services, marking a significant milestone in a clean transportation initiative targeting the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx, New York.
This deployment is part of “The Bronx Is Breathing: Reimagining a Cleaner Hunts Point,” a broader environmental initiative supported by a $10 million grant from the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program.
The initiative aims to address long-standing environmental and economic challenges in the area, which has historically suffered from high levels of pollution due to its role as a major freight and waste hub.
The newly delivered Mack LR Electric truck is specifically engineered for urban refuse collection and features a powerful 376 kWh battery system.
It includes regenerative braking and delivers peak torque exceeding 4,000 lb.-ft., enabling it to match the operational performance of diesel-powered trucks while producing zero tailpipe emissions.
The vehicle will operate out of a new electric vehicle (EV) charging depot developed by MN8 Energy at the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center.
The depot spans 3.2 acres and will feature 32 fast chargers to accommodate a range of electric vehicle types.
In addition to the refuse truck, the Fulton Fish Market Cooperative, located within the same distribution center, is set to deploy four electric Mack MD medium-duty trucks to improve the sustainability of their logistics operations.
These moves support both corporate and state climate targets.
Mack Trucks has set a goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per vehicle kilometer by 40% by 2030.
The state of New York also has an ambitious goal to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050.
By electrifying local fleets, the project intends to cut down on freight-related emissions in one of New York City’s most environmentally burdened communities.
Hunts Point, home to approximately 13,000 residents, has long been affected by industrial activities and vehicle emissions due to its critical role in the city’s logistics and sanitation infrastructure.
The initiative is seen as a step forward in environmental justice, aiming to deliver both cleaner air and economic revitalization to communities disproportionately affected by pollution.
Royal Waste Services’ adoption of the electric refuse truck is expected to set an example for other fleet operators considering the transition to electric vehicles.
As clean transportation solutions gain traction, such deployments highlight how public-private partnerships can effectively align innovation with community needs and climate action.
The project ultimately aspires to build a more sustainable urban infrastructure that benefits both the environment and the people who live and work in these heavily industrialized zones.