Oshkosh Expands with Zero-emission Electric Refuse Vehicle

Oshkosh Corporation has announced that it has engineered and produced a fully-integrated, electric refuse collection vehicle. 

Traditional refuse vehicles require the mounting of a refuse collection body to a third-party chassis. The new Oshkosh integrated refuse collector has been designed from the ground up to offer customers a single original equipment manufacturer (OEM) electric vehicle (EV) solution.

“Entry into new product categories is a crucial element of our “Innovate. Serve. Advance.” growth strategy,” said John Pfeifer, president and chief executive officer of Oshkosh Corporation. “With a deep heritage in the design and manufacture of purpose-built, heavy-duty trucks coupled with field-proven refuse body technology, Oshkosh is uniquely positioned to develop this integrated vehicle. Our vast innovation capabilities are evident in every aspect of this first-of-its-kind product.”

This electrified refuse collector features a drivetrain that includes lithium-ion batteries and an electric-axle system. The vehicle wi ll enable a full day’s refuse collection on a single charge with zero emissions. It was designed to minimize environmental impact and reduce noise in communities around the world, while helping customers meet their sustainability initiatives. 

“When Oshkosh engineers began this project, they put both the customer and user experiences at the center of our design,” said Pfeifer. “For the buyer, chassis selection and integration are eliminated. For the driver, active safety systems, performance technologies and ergonomic features deliver best-in-class safety, comfort and productivity.  And for the technician, intelligent, connected systems reduce routine service and enable condition-based maintenance.”

Manufacturing of Oshkosh’s integrated, electric refuse collection vehicle will leverage several Oshkosh facilities, including a new plant in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Product prototype testing on designated routes will be completed in 2023, with customer deliveries starting in 2024.