Commerce City Dumps Diesel: Colorado's Biggest City Goes All-Electric for Trash Talk (and Recycling)!

TL;DR: Commerce City, Colorado, just became the largest city in the state to electrify its entire residential waste and recycling fleet. Get ready for quieter mornings and cleaner air, courtesy of some very smart electric garbage trucks.

Meta: Commerce City, CO, electrifies its entire residential waste and recycling fleet, becoming Colorado's largest city to do so.

Listen up, people, because Commerce City, Colorado, just made a move that's cleaner than my stand-up routine! This week, officials there announced a huge leap towards decarbonizing their municipal operations by deploying an all-new, all-electric residential recycling and garbage collection fleet. That's right, folks, those big, loud, stinky diesel dinosaurs are getting swapped out for some quiet, clean, electric beasts. And let me tell you, your early morning beauty sleep is gonna thank them for it!

Think about it: garbage trucks. They operate under heavy loads, they're constantly stopping and going, moving at low speeds, and they follow predictable routes. It's like they were made for electric powertrains! Especially in cities, where most routes are well under 100 miles a day. On top of that, these electric beauties are so quiet, you won't be waking up at 0-dark-thirty to the roar of a diesel engine and some rogue driver with a 'Jake Brake' fetish. Your kids, your pets, and anyone who enjoys a peaceful morning are gonna be doing the happy dance.

Charging Ahead with Cleanliness

Commerce City isn't just swapping out trucks; they're going all-in with the infrastructure too. They've made significant investments in EV charging stations, adding a bunch of DC fast chargers to Republic Services' facility in Commerce City. This is all part of their long-term Sustainability Action Plan, aiming for a cleaner, greener future. It's not just talk; they're walking the electric walk!

And they're not alone in this electric refuse revolution. Commerce City joins a growing list of smart cities like Chicago, Louisville, and Madison, who are also adding electric garbage trucks to their fleets. This movement is spearheaded by key players like Republic Services, McNeilus (who manufacture these awesome electric trucks), and local utilities, all backed by the votes and will of the people in these cities. Mayor Chris Leh of Louisville, when they launched their own electric fleet, put it best: "These innovative EV collection trucks will fulfill our trash, compost and recycling needs, reduce noise pollution, and include larger windshields to increase each driver's field of vision and lower greenhouse gas emissions, making our neighborhoods quieter, safer and healthier." Preach, Mayor Leh, preach!

Smart Trucks for a Smarter City

As for the trucks themselves, Commerce City's fleet includes the McNeilus Volterra ZSL. These ain't just electric; they're smart, too. We're talking 360-degree cameras, enlarged windshields for killer visibility, lane-departure sensors, automated emergency braking, and even audible alerts for pedestrians and drivers, just in case their silent approach catches someone off guard. It's like a rolling superhero, cleaning up the streets while keeping everyone safe. Now that's what I call a glow-up for a garbage truck!

What’s Next

Expect this trend to pick up serious speed. As more cities see the immediate benefits – quieter streets, cleaner air, and often lower operating costs in the long run – fleet electrification will become the norm for municipal services. Innovations in electric vehicle technology for demanding applications like waste collection will continue, making these vehicles even more efficient and capable. Pretty soon, that rumble you hear on trash day will just be the sound of progress, baby.

Who knew trash day could be so... serene? That's progress, baby!