Stuttgart's first electric waste trucks hit the streets with Mercedes-Benz eEconic

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has delivered the first five battery-electric eEconic refuse collection vehicles to Abfallwirtschaft Stuttgart (AWS). The handover coincided with the opening of AWS’s new operations centre in Stuttgart-Wangen. AWS has ordered ten Mercedes-Benz eEconic vehicles in total. The first five are now in service, each fitted with a FAUN Variopress rear loader and a FAUN Skylift lifting system. These trucks offer a 21-cubic-metre capacity and run on three battery packs with a combined installed capacity of 336 kWh, providing around 300 kWh of usable energy.

The new depot includes a charging hub with nine overhead truck charging units, several passenger vehicle chargers, and two DC fast chargers. A large photovoltaic system also supports the facility, powering it with renewable energy. Markus Töpfer, Managing Director of AWS, confirmed that the eEconic trucks perform well under Stuttgart’s demanding conditions.

During the depot’s opening, AWS hosted a public open house. The event allowed local residents to learn about modern waste management practices. Christian Wilz, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Germany, highlighted the eEconic’s benefits, stating it enables CO2e-free and quieter waste collection in cities. The first five eEconic trucks are now operational in Stuttgart. Their deployment marks a shift towards more sustainable urban waste collection. The new depot and charging infrastructure support AWS’s long-term environmental goals.