Cleaner waste collection with electric trucks

Karlsruhe speeds up its shift to decarbonized waste management with 18 electric Mercedes eEconic trucks.

With seven 100% electric Mercedes‑Benz eEconic already in service and eleven more on order, the “Team Sauberes Karlsruhe” is taking a decisive step toward quieter, cleaner and fully electrified collection. This strategy is part of a clear goal: to convert the entire municipal fleet to alternative drivetrains by 2035.

Since September, the eEconic vehicles have been operating across the entire urban area, whether collecting residual waste, paper or bulky items. These trucks average 80 to 100 km per day, a challenge easily met thanks to three batteries totaling 336 kWh installed and about 290 kWh usable. Their urban driving, marked by frequent stops, promotes energy recuperation, ensuring comfortable range even after a busy day.

An obvious choice in urban environments

The first eEconic tested, affectionately nicknamed “Emma”, impressed the teams by consuming only about 35% of its battery on a route with around sixty stops. Result: less noise, fewer vibrations, and greatly improved working conditions, particularly at the rear of the vehicle.

On an environmental level, the impact is significant: each eEconic can save up to 170 tonnes of CO₂ per year, or a potential of more than 1,200 tonnes for the complete fleet. To support this transition, a dedicated charging infrastructure has been deployed, with a “satellite” system of two 400 kW units powering eight 100 kW chargers. Smart energy management optimizes each charge, while a future photovoltaic installation will further boost the site’s self-sufficiency.

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Supported by Mercedes‑Benz Trucks eConsulting and S&G Automobil AG, the municipal team carried out three years of preparation. Between trials, feedback and process optimization, Karlsruhe shows that ambitious electrification, planned holistically, can sustainably transform quality of life in the city.

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