Autocar, a manufacturer of specialized severe-duty vocational trucks, has built its first two refuse-truck alpha units that feature a zero emissions, all-electric powertrain. The two E-ACX battery-powered electric cabover refuse trucks are going through a strict validation testing process to ensure the trucks can handle the same challenges and requirements as diesel and compressed natural gas counterparts.

The E-ACX-64 alpha units are both automated side loaders that feature Autocar's body integration process that provides parallel engineering with Autocar body partners Heil and New Way. The alpha1 unit features the Heil Command SST and the alpha2 unit features the New Way Sidewinder 3.0.

Autocar is partnering with select customers to do validation tests under real work conditions to verify performance metrics and get operator input. Refuse trucks are subject to all types of climates coast to coast, cycling through thousands of stops and starts a day, in and out of landfills and transfer stations, that put even the best engineered trucks out of service, Autocar officials said in a press release.

The E-ACX will be available for pre-orders in 2023, with a limited production run in 2024.

“We are very excited to begin testing an all-electric ACX that highlights our engineers and technicians hard work, and input from customers,” said Timothy Thornton, vice president and general manager refuse at Autocar.“The E-ACTT team that developed our all-electric terminal tractor, gets a lot of credit for leading the BEV development and bringing this technology to severe-duty standards. The E-ACX is another step in our goal to help fleets achieve zero emissions while not compromising on performance or durability.”