Major wast management company Remondis Australia has announced it is taking further steps towards decarbonising its fleet revealing it is trialling the latest battery-electric zero-emission technology from Mercedes-Benz.
Remondis said it has put Mercedes-Benz’s eEconic 6×2 model through commercial waste collection trials in Brisbane during August and has apparently come away impressed..
The Mercedes eEconic uses lithium-ion batteries to power its electric motors on the drive axle. with what it describes as a unique “e-axle” design giving it what it says is a significant technological advantage, eliminating the need for a traditional driveshaft, and resulting in zero exhaust emissions as well as near-silent operation.
Remondis says the eEconic also features energy recovery braking, which increases efficiency and journey longevity, with the company saying it makes it ideal for stop-and-go urban driving.
While Mercedes eEconic trucks have been used across Europe in recent years, the Australian trial machine has been designed and built to comply with local truck mass and dimension requirements.
“Remondis, our parent company Rethmann, and Mercedes-Benz are all iconic German brands and our long relationships are behind this opportunity coming together,” Remondis Australia CEO and managing director Björn Becker said.
“We’ve used Mercedes-Benz trucks globally, including in Australia, for many years, so it’s a natural progression that Remondis would be first to trial eEconic technology on Australian roads.
“Modern waste management is all about circular economy outcomes, and fleet operation is a big part of that, so given that we operate 600 waste collection trucks across Australia, there’s significant scope and appetite for us to cut emissions more broadly, be it through electric, hydrogen or hybrid technology.
“We’re working with multiple truck suppliers and other stakeholders to progress that journey.”
Remondis Australia’s technical executive general manager Conor Flynn said that the eEconic trial truck was tailor-made for Australian conditions.
“Plenty of effort and cooperation has gone into delivering a bespoke model fit for Australian climates and terrain and among other things, Brisbane was chosen for the trial because of its diverse operational landscape,” Flynn said.
“The next steps are sharing and analysing information with Mercedes-Benz and other participants, including Superior Pak, which has overseen the body design,” he said.
Andrew Assimo, the sales and marketing vice president of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Australia Pacific said he’s been thrilled to see the eEconic hard at work for Remondis and the Brisbane community.
“The Mercedes-Benz eEconic is the perfect choice for collecting waste and recycling day-in and day-out, delivering practical sustainability,” said Assimo
“We know it can allow Remondis to deliver its customer-first waste solutions in near silence while producing zero exhaust emissions, and the track record of these trucks speaks for itself in Europe, so we’ll be working closely with Remondis with a view to them succeeding in Australia,” he added.
Mercedes has evolved the eEconic from its diesel-powered Econic, which was developed by Mercedes-Benz almost 30 years ago as a breakthrough, custom-made, city-friendly, waste vehicle.
The eEconic uses three battery packs with 300kWh of usable capacity with drive output of up to 400 kilowatts, speeds of up to 100km/h and a range of up to 150 kilometres with compaction. Mercedes and Remondis claim the batteries can be recharged in as little as 2.5 hours using a 120kW charger, and typically at fleet owner depots
Remondis pointed out that the truck features numerous safety features, including Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), panoramic windows and advanced mirrors and cameras to aid driver visibility, meaning new levels of precaution for pedestrians and other drivers.
A low two-step entry point also ensures better driver safety, with drivers avoiding repetitive climbs to and from seats that are positioned high in many conventional trucks.
Remondis said that its eEconic trial builds on other electric truck trials it has undertaken in Australia and the globally significant introduction of a zero-emission hydrogen powered residential collection truck to its Illawarra operations in New South Wales in 2023.
