Karlsruhe has deployed seven Mercedes-Benz eEconic electric refuse trucks, with eleven more on order, supported by purpose-built charging and lower emissions across city routes.
Karlsruhe’s waste collection rounds are getting quieter as the city continues its shift to battery-electric refuse vehicles. Team Sauberes Karlsruhe (TSK) has introduced seven Mercedes-Benz eEconic trucks into daily operation and has placed an order for eleven more identical units, forming one of the larger municipal eEconic deployments in Germany.
Seven trucks now in service
The new vehicles have been working across the full city area since late September, handling residual waste, paper, and bulky waste without route restrictions. Five use FAUN’s VARIOPRESS 524 HK body with FAUN X tipping; two carry the heavier-duty POWERPRESS 524H unit.
Typical daily mileage sits around 80 km, sometimes passing 100 km. With three battery packs (112 kWh installed, around 97 kWh usable each), the trucks complete a full shift without intermediate charging. Recuperation during stop-start collection helps extend range further.
TSK tested its first truck, nicknamed “Emma,” over a full week: roughly 80 km per day and around 60 stops, using only about a third of the battery. Charge fell from 100% to around 65% at the end of each shift.
Lower emissions and quieter operation
The city estimates each eEconic can avoid 150 to 170 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year depending on the route. Noise levels are also reduced on early-morning rounds, something crews say is noticeable both from inside the cab and at the rear of the vehicle.
Charging infrastructure built for heavy-duty use
To support the rollout, TSK worked with Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ eConsulting division and S&G Automobil AG to design a depot charging layout based on a decentralised satellite system. Two 400 kW power units feed eight 100 kW wall-mounted DC charge points, with upstream AC-to-DC conversion and an energy management system to avoid grid peaks and schedule charging efficiently.
A photovoltaic installation is planned so part of the charging demand can be met with self-generated solar power.
Long-term preparation and staff feedback
TSK spent more than a year running a test vehicle between August 2024 and September 2025 to understand consumption, staff routines, and practical requirements. Drivers and collection crews reported quieter operation, strong low-speed performance, fewer vibrations and improved working conditions, particularly at the rear of the vehicle.
The broader plan is to transition almost the entire municipal fleet to alternative drivetrains by 2035, keeping only a small reserve of combustion vehicles for emergencies.
Funding support
The vehicles were part-financed through Germany’s KsNI programme, which supports alternative-drive commercial vehicles and associated charging or refuelling infrastructure. NOW GmbH coordinated the scheme and approvals were handled by the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility.
A practical rollout rather than a showcase
Karlsruhe’s deployment follows three years of planning, route analysis and infrastructure preparation. The early results suggest the eEconic fits the city’s duty cycle well, delivering predictable range and quieter urban operation without changing how crews work.
