The City of Kingston, Ontario, has recently added two Mack LR Electric refuse trucks to support its goal of becoming “Canada’s Most Sustainable City.” This move is part of their commitment to enhancing climate action through improved recycling efforts. These Mack LR Electric vehicles mark Kingston’s first foray into battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) within its Solid Waste fleet.
Kingston was the pioneer municipality in Ontario to adopt BEVs. Thanks to funding from FCM’s Green Municipal Fund, the city secured $500,000 to assist with this purchase. The city’s aim is to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 percent by 2030 as part of their vision for sustainability, contributing to a larger national target for Canada to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The latest Class 8 Mack LR Electric refuse model comes equipped with a standard battery capacity of 376 k Wh, providing 42 percent more energy and greater range between charges than previous models. With twin electric motors generating 448 continuous horsepower and delivering peak torque output of 4,051 pounds per foot right from zero RPM, these trucks are powerful.
Powered by four NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) lithium-ion batteries and charged via a compliant SAE J1772 charging system at 150 k W, the vehicle supports all onboard accessories through various circuits at 12V, 24V, and 600V. A two-stage regenerative braking system captures energy from the numerous stops made throughout the day while handling heavier loads.
Kingston Takes Initiative in Clean Energy for Waste Collection
“One of the city’s key goals is leading environmental stewardship and climate action. Acquiring these Mack LR Electric trucks is one way we’re advancing these objectives,” stated Brent Fowler, City of Kingston director of Corporate Asset Management and Fleet.
With financial assistance from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Kingston successfully integrated two Mack LR Electric models into its fleet. These electric vehicles have been operational since July 2025 when they were rolled out alongside the city’s automated cart-based waste collection system.
“These trucks have been running nearly every weekday since they started,” noted Karen Santucci, director of Public Works and Solid Waste for Kingston. “Their performance has been outstanding, and both our Solid Waste operators and the public have reacted very positively.”
The Mack LR Electric side-loaders were sold by Surgenor Truck Group, which also provides service support for these vehicles. The bodies were supplied by La Brie Environmental Group.
“When selecting a vendor for this purchase, we wanted to choose local partners who could maintain these vehicles right here in Kingston,” Fowler explained. “We were happy to work with Surgenor-an exceptional local dealer that offers comprehensive truck maintenance just down the road from our facilities.”
“Kingston demonstrates true leadership by aligning an ambitious sustainability vision with concrete investments that benefit both residents and the environment,” said George Fotopoulos, Mack vice president of e-mobility. “We’re honored that the City of Kingston selected our Mack LR Electric as their first battery-electric refuse trucks and grateful for our collaboration with Surgenor Truck Group and La Brie Environmental Group in delivering solutions that meet daily refuse collection demands.”
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