Heil and Autocar Supply Recology with Electric Collection Truck

Why It Matters

The deployment demonstrates the viability of fully electric refuse trucks, helping cities meet emissions targets while preserving operational efficiency. It signals accelerating market adoption of electric vocational vehicles in waste management.

Key Takeaways

• Heil and Autocar delivered a fully electric side‑loader for Recology
• Truck combines Autocar E‑ACX chassis with Heil RevAMP body
• Recology will operate the vehicle in Issaquah, Washington
• Integrated design eliminates on‑route hydraulics, preserving payload and range
• Recology already powers over 90% of fleet with renewable fuels

Pulse Analysis

The rollout of an all‑electric refuse truck in Issaquah marks a tangible step in the broader shift toward zero‑emission municipal fleets. Across the United States, cities are tightening emissions caps and offering incentives for electric waste‑collection vehicles, driven by both climate goals and rising fuel costs. Industry analysts note that the market for electric vocational trucks is projected to grow at double‑digit rates through 2030, as manufacturers like Heil and Autocar leverage decades of severe‑duty experience to meet new regulatory demands. The Issaquah deployment provides a real‑world test case for this emerging segment.

The vehicle itself is a product of the "Power of One Plus" integration program, pairing Autocar’s E‑ACX chassis—an in‑house electric powertrain engineered for severe‑duty cycles—with Heil’s RevAMP automated side‑loader body. By eliminating hydraulic systems on the road, the design preserves payload capacity while delivering the range required for typical urban routes. Engineers claim the system maintains the reliability and uptime that fleets expect from diesel platforms, yet it operates with zero tailpipe emissions and lower operating costs. The modular RevAMP body can also be fitted to diesel or CNG chassis, offering a migration path for mixed fleets.

For Recology, the electric truck aligns with a corporate strategy that already sees more than 90 percent of its fleet powered by renewable or alternative fuels. Deploying the vehicle in Issaquah supports the city’s LEED for Cities certification and its broader air‑quality objectives. Municipalities watching the pilot will assess performance data, driver feedback, and total cost of ownership before committing to larger purchases. If the trial proves successful, it could accelerate adoption of fully electric refuse trucks nationwide, prompting waste‑service providers to rethink fleet composition and encouraging policymakers to expand funding mechanisms for clean‑energy infrastructure.