• Karlsruhe sets an example for sustainability in waste management
• The “Team Sauberes Karlsruhe” (TSK, = “Clean Karlsruhe Team”) has added seven new Mercedes-Benz eEconic electric waste collection vehicles to its fleet for sustainable waste disposal
• Follow-up order for 11 more identical vehicles has already been placed

Leinfelden-Echterdingen / Karlsruhe – The “Team Sauberes Karlsruhe” (TSK, = “Clean Karlsruhe Team”) recently added seven new Mercedes-Benz eEconic electric waste collection vehicles to its fleet for low-noise and low-emission waste disposal. A follow-up order for eleven more identical vehicles has already been placed with the manufacturer. With these battery-electric vehicles, Karlsruhe is setting an example for sustainability in waste management. Experts from Mercedes-Benz Trucks eConsulting and S&G Automobil AG provided “Team Sauberes Karlsruhe” with comprehensive advice and support. Together, they developed suitable deployment concepts for the urban area and installed the appropriate charging infrastructure.

Seven Mercedes-Benz eEconic in use since September

Since the end of September, the seven fully electric waste collection vehicles have been in use throughout the Karlsruhe city area, with no area-specific restrictions. The eEconics are used for residual waste disposal, paper collection, and bulky waste collection.

The rear-loading vehicles are equipped with superstructures from FAUN Umwelttechnik GmbH & Co. KG to ensure an efficient and modern disposal process. Five of the eEconics have a VARIOPRESS 524 HK body with FAUN X tipping and can therefore be used flexibly for recyclables and waste materials. Two of the vehicles are equipped with the robust POWERPRESS 524H body, which is specially designed for the high demands of bulky waste collection. 

In daily use, the vehicles cover an average of around 80 kilometers, and in some cases even more than 100 kilometers. With three battery packs on board, each with an installed capacity of 112 kWh and a usable capacity of around 97 kWh, all routes in Karlsruhe can be reliably completed in single-shift operation without intermediate charging. On their usual collection routes, employees often drive short distances with frequent braking. 

When collecting waste in stop-and-go traffic, anticipatory driving allows electrical energy to be recovered through recuperation, which increases the range. Even at the end of intensive working days, this usually leaves a comfortable remaining range, which is often sufficient for a complete second day of operation. The eEconic's standard Multimedia Cockpit Interactive provides drivers with continuous information on battery status, energy consumption, and remaining range, thus supporting efficient driving.

TSK received its first fully electric waste collection vehicle in September and subjected it to consumption measurements over a period of one week. “Emma,” as the vehicle is affectionately known by the team, is used by the team for bulky waste disposal and covered a good 80 kilometers with around 60 stops on its daily route. Consumption was only around 35% of the battery capacity – the charge level dropped from 100% to 65% and 64% respectively.

By using the new electric vehicles, TSK is ensuring quieter and lower-emission waste disposal in the city area, thereby improving the quality of life in the neighborhoods. At the same time, CO₂ emissions are significantly reduced: depending on the area of application, each eEconic can save between 150 and 170 tons of CO₂ per year. This results in a total potential annual saving of around 1,200 tons of CO₂.

TSK is consistently continuing the electrification of its fleet: at the beginning of November, the manufacturer Daimler Truck received an order for eleven additional eEconic waste collection vehicles in low-entry design. By 2035, the municipal fleet is to be completely converted to alternative drive systems, with the exception of a reserve for emergencies.

Cornerstone of electrification: the charging infrastructure

TSK is pursuing a holistic approach to the charging infrastructure concept for the new vehicles, which was developed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Trucks' eConsulting department. The concept forms the basis for cost-efficient charging of vehicle batteries at favorable electricity prices. Based on the jointly developed charging infrastructure concept, further optimizations of the ecosystem will also be possible in the future, such as the use of battery storage or intelligent charging at dynamic electricity prices.

The appropriate charging infrastructure has been set up at the depot to ensure the reliable operation of the eEconic. This is a decentralized “satellite charging system” with two power units, each with a capacity of 400 kW, which supply a total of eight wall-mounted charging points, each with a capacity of 100 kW. Separate power units convert alternating current into direct current and provide the direct voltage required for the vehicle batteries. The direct current power generated is then transmitted to the charging boxes in the vehicle hall.

An energy management system is integrated to ensure efficient use of the available charging power. It serves to avoid voltage peaks in the power grid and to prioritize the charging processes of individual vehicles. This ensures that the respective waste collection vehicle is always sufficiently charged for its respective route and at its planned operating time.

The installation of a photovoltaic system is planned so that the vehicles can also be charged with self-generated solar power.

Better working conditions from the front to the rear: joint planning makes it possible

Experts from Mercedes-Benz Trucks and dealer S&G Automobil AG supported the “Team Sauberes Karlsruhe” in implementing electrification over a period of three years. They assisted TSK and its partners with questions relating to planning, vehicle deployment, and the implementation of the local charging infrastructure.

Between August 2024 and September 2025, TSK used a test vehicle for over a year to gather experience and test the practicality of the alternative drive system in waste collection transport. During this time, TSK employees provided detailed feedback. They highlighted the quiet driving, the pleasant driving experience without vibrations, the acceleration, and the low-emission operation. In particular, they rated the significantly more pleasant working conditions at the rear of the vehicle and in the driver's cab positively.

The “Team Sauberes Karlsruhe” is on the move for a cleaner city

The “Team Sauberes Karlsruhe” works 365 days a year to keep the fan-shaped city with the castle clean and functioning smoothly. Around 540 employees take care of waste disposal, street cleaning, and municipal winter services. In addition, TSK manages the municipal vehicle fleet and acts as a central mobility service provider for the city administration and its own operations.

Funding enables innovation

The purchase of the electric vehicles was funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) as part of the guideline on the promotion of light and heavy commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly drives and the associated refueling and charging infrastructure (KsNI). The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH, and applications are approved by the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility.