Emterra Environmental’s fleet includes eight electric Mack LR trucks. Photo credit @emterra.ca
CUMBERLAND – Emterra Environmental now has North America’s largest fully electric fleet of refuse and recycling trucks, powered by clean electricity and made possible through incentives from BC Hydro.
Emterra Environmental’s fleet, which includes eight electric Mack LR trucks, is a public-private partnership that in B.C.’s shift from diesel to electric in one of the province’s most energy-intensive sectors. The transition was made possible through the provincial zero-emission vehicle rebates and the BC Hydro EV Fleet Program, which provides study funding and incentives of up to 50 per cent of electrical infrastructure costs for the fleet chargers.
Each truck can travel more than 100 kilometres on a single charge and recharge in just 90 minutes. The fleet is expected to cut annual carbon emissions by 480 tonnes – equal to removing over 100 cars from the road.
To support the trucks, Emterra Environmental installed six high-speed chargers and smart energy management software that shifts charging to off-peak hours. The Cumberland site is one of Emterra Environmental’s 18 material recovery facilities across Canada and now serves as a clean energy model for future operations.
The Cumberland site operates as a regional recycling plant that also takes in recyclables from commercial businesses and other waste management haulers. After running a one-electric-truck pilot program in Ontario, Emterra Environmental chose B.C. for a full fleet conversion based on policy, funding and expertise available to accelerate the transition.
“Our commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action is not a choice, it’s a necessity,” says Emmie Leung, founder and CEO of Emterra Group. “We are thrilled to be leading the charge in electrified waste transportation technology. But this project was made viable only because of the layered approach to funding and collaboration in B.C. We don’t yet see this kind of support in other provinces.”
Emterra Environmental has also completed an integrated feasibility study, supported by BC Hydro, to explore future battery storage systems for on-site backup power, ensuring the facility remains resilient and scalable for future energy needs and is now looking at fleet electrification in the Lower Mainland.
“Emterra is redefining what’s possible in a fossil fuel-dependent industry by adopting zero-emission vehicles and smart charging solutions,” says Chris O’Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro.
BC Hydro has also awarded Emterra Environmental the Clean Energy Champion designation.
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