The South Coast AQMD Governing Board has
approved a contract of up to $1 million with Peterbilt
Motors Company to develop and demonstrate a
plug-in hybrid heavy-duty natural gas refuse truck. Funded
through the Clean Fuels Program Fund, this project
supports efforts to meet California Air Resources Board’s
Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation, which requires
state and local government fleets to transition to zero-emission
(ZE) vehicles where feasible.
While ZE refuse trucks are commercially available, certain collection routes and duty cycles remain challenging for fully electric technologies. The ACF regulation allows plug-in hybrid vehicles with sufficient all-electric range as a compliance option, offering a practical pathway where ZE solutions may be limited. Although plug-in hybrid systems have been demonstrated in drayage applications, this technology has not yet been developed or proven in the refuse sector, making this project a significant step forward.
Peterbilt will lead the effort, working with industry partners to design and integrate the hybrid system. The vehicle will be demonstrated in real-world operations with Waste Management Collection & Recycling Inc., with emissions testing conducted by the University of California Riverside Center for Environmental Research and Technology.
The proposed truck is expected to deliver substantial emission and fuel-use reductions by operating in zero-emission mode in neighborhoods and switching to ultralow emission hybrid mode as needed. By supporting the development and demonstration of this emerging technology, South Coast AQMD aims to expand clean fleet options, reduce harmful air pollution, and help advance the transition to zero-emission transportation.