[kingu]

Mmm, since cities generally handle the garbage contract and have little to no reason to be worried about the cost, it is natural to convert garbage trucks to just about any variation that fits the fancy of others, since the consumer will absorb all the costs.

Many fleets have already been converted to LPG and are considered to be ‘clean air’ type trucks. Now they want to convert them to battery power, again at the cost to the consumer, where the consumer gets little to no benefit. It doesn't pick up trash any quicker or cheaper, it just adds to the cost.

So while this is fascinating, and I'm glad that private commercial enterprises like FedEX are experimenting with this technology at their own cost, I see little to no reason to support outfitting even more vehicles at the cost of taxpayers or consumers where they don't have any input (IE competitive competition) to turn to.

[LogicDesigner]

I think saving money is the main motivator. Maybe I should have included this section from later in the article. Regarding traditional garbage trucks:

“They chew up brakes, engines, and transmissions. It’s quite variable but they don’t get 200,000 miles out of them. Maybe five years.”

But with the Wrightspeed system,

“The running costs are much lower, both maintenance and fuel. You can save about $35,000 per year on fuel per truck and about $20,000 per year in maintenance.”

Although, I think for many citizens, the reduction in noise pollution might be the biggest selling point.

[mrsmith]

Good point however, taxpayers may be willing to pay ‘somewhat more’ for the extra sleep.
Of course, they shouldn’t be offered subsidies from other citizens of the state or country to choose e-garbage trucks!

Seems like a good application of the technology. IF a battery can carry the needed energy. There’s a lot of work to be done by a garbage truck, much more than moving an ultra-light vehicle around requires.