Recology Debuts Hydrogen-Powered Electric Refuse Truck in San Francisco in Partnership with New Way, Hyzon

The hilly streets of San Francisco are the first in North America to pilot a hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric refuse collection vehicle.

Recology rolled out the city's first hydrogen-powered refuse collection vehicle this week. The truck was developed in collaboration with refuse truck body manufacturer New Way Trucks and fuel cell manufacturer and technology developer Hyzon. The companies unveiled the vehicle at the 2024 WasteExpo in Las Vegas.

“Considering there are more than 140,000 refuse trucks operating across the market today, waste collection presents an ideal application to showcase the viability of hydrogen fuel cell technology across the environmental services industry,” stated Eric Evans, Chief Product Officer for New Way.

Recology's employees will test the refuse truck on San Francisco streets over the next two weeks. The company plans to operate the vehicle in other Bay Area cities. New Way and Hyzon will conduct additional trials throughout California in late 2024, before driving the truck to Canada for testing.

Recology’s trial aims to verify that zero-emission vehicles have the necessary power and range to handle collection routes and carry heavy loads.

The partnership was founded on the three manufacturers' efforts to drive sustainability in waste and recycling fleets.

Hyzon CEO Parker Meeks spoke about the rise of hydrogen fuel-cell technology, saying: "The interest will only increase, and I am excited for our continued partnership with New Way and service providers like Recology to change the future and power a better way forward.”

New Way Chief Sales Officer Don Ross commented that “this technology has the potential to further advance emission reductions in solid waste operations, a traditionally hard to decarbonize industry.”