Agenda Item Wording:
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Approve purchase of solid waste pilot electric truck - Accept a grant consisting of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds in the amount of $929,000 and approve the purchase of one 2025 model year solid waste electric commercial front-loader demonstrator truck from Haaker through the Sourcewell Cooperative in the amount of $928,332.34 and the appropriation of $929,000 from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.
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Agenda Date: 06/15/2026
Prepared by: Jason Serpa, Public Works Manager, 713-4533, jason.serpa@visalia.city; Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, 713-4052, nick.bartsch@visalia.city
Department Recommendation: Staff is recommending the acceptance of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds in the amount of $929,000 and the approval of the purchase of one 2025 model year solid waste electric commercial front loader demonstrator truck from Haaker, Inc. through the Sourcewell Cooperative in the amount of $928,332.34 and the appropriation of $929,000 from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.
Summary:
Staff is recommending the purchase of an all-electric 2025 model year McNeilus Volterra commercial front-load solid waste demonstrator truck to pair it with the previously approved purchase of a residential side-load truck on April 6, 2026. The City has been presented with an opportunity to secure CMAQ funding administered through Caltrans Local Assistance to fully fund the purchase of an additional all-electric solid waste truck and the associated charging equipment. While the CMAQ grant is sufficient to cover the full cost, the City is also currently eligible for an HVIP (Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project) grant of $150,000 that was secured by staff earlier this year. Because the HVIP funding is distributed on a first-come first-serve basis, should the City lose the HVIP funds, the CMAQ grant would still cover any remaining costs of the new front load electric truck and charger. After extensive research and comparisons of capable models, including reference work of other operators in California, staff is confident in the performance of the electric truck and its ability to do the work of the City’s standard internal combustion-powered alternatives. Additionally, the ability to obtain support, service, and repair work locally in Tulare as needed is also an asset.
Background Discussion:
The State of California and the California Air Resources Board have mandated that State and local agencies begin converting their heavy-duty fleets to zero-emission beginning January 1, 2024. Currently, there are two effective options, battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Unfortunately, low-emission Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) does not qualify towards meeting the mandated regulation. Due to the lack of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles entering the market, battery-electric technology is currently the only commercially available and logistically feasible option in the market today. City staff recognize the immediate need to pilot an electric solid waste truck for a long-term benefit of testing, while also developing a possible strategy and pathway to successfully satisfy the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) requirements.
Historically, the City of Visalia Solid Waste Division has procured a mix of CNG and diesel fueled vehicles to replace or grow the solid waste fleet. Due to the zero-emission regulations in the State of California, the City began the process of researching alternative fuel vehicles, and subsequently, the viability and affordability of purchasing an electric solid waste truck. Staff took the approach of studying various types of electric truck products available for sale, then coming to a recommendation based on the performance and future ownership costs of the vehicle.
After reviewing products from multiple battery-electric truck manufacturers and being able to demo several trucks on the City’s routes, one manufacturer performed better than its competitors. Due to the ease of operation, purpose-built design for reduced maintenance and equipment longevity, and perhaps most importantly, battery efficiency, the McNeilus/Volterra is the preferred and recommended option, having the ability to perform the same duties as the City’s current internal combustion-powered equipment.
With any new technology or product, there is a need to do due diligence by contacting other cities and private operators that are running the specific electric truck product staff is considering. Additionally, the specific truck under consideration was tested for 2 full days onsite so that Solid Waste staff along with Fleet Maintenance personnel could weigh in on the truck’s capabilities and/or drawbacks.
Even through initially testing new electric truck technology and getting good references, staff understands that with any new technology, extended testing, specific to the City of Visalia and its solid waste operation, is most valuable before a more extensive investment of converting the entire fleet and installing charging infrastructure is made. This is why staff is proposing a front-load commercial pilot in addition to the side-load residential pilot approved on 4/6/26 by Council. This additional pilot would purchase one front load-truck to pair with the side-load truck, put them both into service, and provide the opportunity to observe the compatibility and comparability of operational costs. Having the ability to evaluate the all-electric truck platform in two different operational applications will be instrumental in making future truck purchases. The successful performance of these pilot trucks will provide confidence in any subsequent purchases.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: After the selective process of choosing an electric model that could take the place of one of the City’s CNG equivalents, staff recommend the McNeilus Volterra. This truck had the most upside in range, capacity, and good references (See previously given presentation attached). In addition, having a local dealer in Tulare, CA would be positive for support contact and warranty parts and repairs, if needed.
Haaker, Inc. is the McNeilus dealer in the area and can extend pricing according to a Sourcewell Cooperative contract (Contract# 110223-MCN). Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing helps the City save time and money by purchasing from ready-to-use, competitively solicited contracts. Cooperative Purchasing is “Procurement conducted by, or on behalf of, one or more Public Procurement Units,” as defined by the American Bar Association Model Procurement Code for State and Local Governments. Sourcewell streamlines the purchasing process by developing Requests for Purchase for national competitive solicitations that meet or exceed local requirements.
As stated above, Staff were presented with an opportunity to secure CMAQ funding to purchase a 2025 model year demonstrator commercial front-load truck with less than 3,500 miles on the odometer. This truck is already built and ready for purchase pending any additional accessories to be added before delivery that are quoted within the purchase price.
The cost breakdown of the demonstrator front load truck and additional equipment is below, along with the appropriation needed for this purchase to Haaker, Inc., the local McNeilus dealer.
City staff has secured two grants to reimburse the City for the purchase of the electric front-load truck and charger. Earlier this year, City staff was able to obtain an HVIP grant (Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project) in the amount of $150,000 which will be issued as a reimbursement after the initial purchase.
City staff were also able to secure CMAQ funds (through Caltrans Local Assistance) up to $929,000 as needed to cover the rest of the cost of the electric front load truck and charger.
Prior Council Action: Council approved a pilot electric residential side load truck purchase on 4/6/2026.
Alternatives: Alternative #1: To not approve the purchase of a pilot front load solid waste electric truck.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to accept the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds in the amount of $929,000 and approve of the purchase of one 2025 model year solid waste electric commercial front-loader demonstrator truck from Haaker, Inc. through the Sourcewell Cooperative in the amount of $928,332.34 and appropriate $929,000 from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 06/15/2026
Attachments: Vehicle Authorization Form, McNeilus Sourcewell Contract, Sourcewell Pricing Quote, FTIP CMAQ Grant Summary, Electric Truck Presentation
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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