Want more content like this? Read the new vehicle roundup: Refuse Truck Edition
Oregon City Adds Zero-Emissions Refuse Vehicle to Fleet
The zero-emissions Model 520EV will provide recycling and waste collection services for the city of Portland and advance its environmental sustainability initiatives.

The Model 520EV is equipped with a McNeilus rear loader and can complete a full day of bin collections on a single charge, showcasing its efficiency and productivity.
Photo: Peterbilt
Peterbilt has finalized the delivery of a Model 520EV refuse vehicle to Portland, Oregon's Disposal & Recycling operation. The zero-emissions Model 520EV will provide recycling and waste collection services for the city of Portland and advance its environmental sustainability initiatives.
Leaders from Portland's Disposal & Recycling, Portland General Electric Company, the city of Portland, McNeilus and Peterbilt recently gathered to reveal the new Model 520EV and celebrate this electrification milestone. Local media had the opportunity to ride along with the emission-free vehicle to experience the Model 520EV’s first pickup in Northwest Portland as part of a public unveiling event.
The Model 520EV Capabilities for Fleets
The Model 520EV is equipped with a McNeilus rear loader and can complete a full day of bin collections on a single charge. It provides extended operating range to COR Disposal & Recycling in addition to regenerative braking to enhance safety and optimized vehicle performance.
Specs
Class:8
GCWR:66,000 lbs.
Used for:Right-Hand Side Loader and Rear Loader Refuse Collection
Max Horsepower:670 hp (500kw)
Front Axle & Suspension:20,000 - 23,000 lbs.
Rear Axle & Suspension:46,000 lbs.
Est Daily Range:80 - 120 Miles Per Charge (1,100 Bin Pickups)
Minimum Charge Time:3 Hours
More Operations

AI, Police Fleet Readiness and Fire Apparatus News
See how AI, a reworked police-vehicle upfitting process, and a fire apparatus acquisition could affect public fleet operations.
Read More →
Stay ready, set and safer with verified fleet inspections.
When fleet inspections aren’t verifiable, missed defects can quickly become downtime, safety risks, and service delays. This white paper shows government and municipal fleet leaders how digital inspections can improve accountability, catch issues earlier, and keep vehicles ready when they’re needed most.
Read More →
How AI and Automation Work Together to Reduce Government Fleet Downtime
As their assets age and their budgets’ purchasing power shrinks, government fleet managers are facing growing pressure to do more with less.
Read More →
Police Fleet Innovation, EV Strategy and AI
See how public fleets are rethinking police vehicle readiness, electrification, workplace culture, and driver workflows.
Read More →
From What He Inherited to What He’ll Leave Behind: David Renschler’s Lessons in Leadership
David Renschler walked into Fairfield with plenty to learn and no idea what awaited him. Twenty years later, the lessons from what came next are still shaping his approach to fleet.
Read More →
Turning a Bottleneck Into a Blueprint: How Tallahassee Rethought Police Fleet Readiness
For Tallahassee, finally receiving 87 delayed police cruisers created a new problem: how to get them on the road without creating a massive backlog. The solution would change more than the upfit process.
Read More →
Have Fleets Changed Enough to Solve the Technician Shortage?
Are government fleets finally closing the gap on the technician shortage, or are critical challenges still holding them back?
Read More →
How Public Fleets Are Rethinking Vehicles, EVs, and Culture
From mission-specific vehicles to EV planning and culture change, this week’s stories show how public fleets are rethinking the way they operate.
Read More →
How Salem, Oregon, Turned Culture Change Into a No. 1 Fleet Ranking
Fleet availability reached 98.95% after Salem empowered employees and used performance data to guide years of steady improvement.
Read More →
EV Shifts, Salem’s Rise and GFX 2027
From hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles, to the changes that helped Salem, Oregon, become the No. 1 Leading Fleet.
Read More →

