Agenda Item Wording:
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Presentation of solid waste electric truck pilot - Presentation of staff recommended solid waste electric truck pilot and comparative analysis.
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Agenda Date: 04/06/2026
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 recommends that the City Council receive the presentation on the Solid Waste Division's recommendation of a pilot electric solid waste truck.
Summary:
Due to mandated regulation of future heavy-duty fleets in California, staff has worked diligently towards solutions that can help satisfy the State requirements and protect the City's resources. After extensive research and demos of electric solid waste trucks, coupled with the current opportunities presented by grants to lower the initial capital cost, staff are recommending a pilot electric solid waste residential side loader truck. Staff feels the timing of the available grant dollars and the timeline to implement electric heavy-duty vehicles, gives the City a runway to pilot and test a selected truck for long-term viability.
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 effectively two 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 succes...
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