New truck will support the county’s strategic plan.

The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is rolling out its first electric refuse truck to pick up residential trash and yard waste on routes throughout the County — a move that will save money and protect the environment. DPWES expects to have a second electric truck in September. Each truck costs nearly $350,000, funded by the department’s Solid Waste Management Program and a grant from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

The new truck is another significant step in the county’s operational energy strategy, which aims for government operations to be carbon neutral by 2040. Electric vehicles (EV) produce zero emissions, meaning cleaner air for Fairfax County. Electric vehicles are quieter, also reducing noise pollution. The electric truck saves residents money by requiring less overall maintenance and eliminating fuel costs.

Two charging stations have been installed at DPWES’ Newington Collections facility in Lorton, where the solid waste collection trucks are based. When the battery has less than 20% power, it will take up to five hours to recharge. Once it’s on its route, this truck can hold up to seven tons of recycling and up to 12 tons of trash.

In addition to the new electric truck, DPWES already has four electric sedans in operation. Fairfax County has 50 fully electric vehicles already in operation in its fleet.

The public is invited to the official unveiling of the EV truck on Friday, Aug. 25, at 11 a.m. at the Newington Collections Facility, 6901 Allen Park Road in Lorton. Speakers at the event will include Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck, Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill, DPWES Director Chris Herrington and Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination Acting Director John Morrill.

To get information about the DPWES Solid Waste Management Program contact 703-324-5320 or visit Recycling and Trash.