Garbage Companies Eye Electric Trucks as Republic Services Announces Partnership with Nikola
Posted on 08/10/2020
Garbage management giant Republic Services, Inc. revealed a partnership with Nikola Corporation to develop and purchase 2,500 electric waste and recycling collection trucks, representing the industry’s first large-scale commitment to fleet electrification. According to the press release, “the zero-emissions vehicles, which will have a range of 150 miles and recharge overnight, are expected to be integrated into Republic Services’ fleet beginning in 2023. The deal is expandable to 5,000 vehicles over the life of the agreement.”
In 2019, Republic Services set a long-term sustainability goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35%. Republic Services is a company involved in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal.
In May 2019, another garbage company Recology ordered a small number of electric trucks from BYD. The deal with Nikola is massive and trumps other moves by garbage companies in trying to use electric trucks for routes.