McNeilus unveils fully integrated, electric front-loading collection vehicle

McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc., a Dodge Center, Minnesota-based waste and recycling collection vehicle manufacturer and business unit of Oshkosh Corp., is debuting its latest innovation—the Volterra ZFL electric refuse and recycling collection vehicle—this week at CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

According to McNeilus, as North America’s first fully integrated, electric front-loading commercial collection vehicle, the Volterra ZFL is poised to deliver “an outstanding operator experience and demonstrates the company’s commitment to advancing sustainability and “redefining efficiency” in the environmental services industry.

“The McNeilus Volterra ZFL takes commercial refuse and recycling collection to the next level, offering zero-emission operation and a purpose-built design that prioritizes driver comfort and efficiency,” McNeilus Vice President and General Manager Lee Dreas says. “We’re proud to introduce this innovation at CES 2025 and demonstrate how McNeilus and Oshkosh Corp. are leading the way in creating clean, smart and safe solutions for essential industries.”

McNeilus says the Volterra ZFL eRCV is engineered to meet the “rigorous” demands of commercial waste and recycling operations.

The truck, designed collaboratively with Oshkosh Corp., is built on McNeilus’ Volterra platform, including the Volterra ZSL side loader option, and its electric powertrain reportedly eliminates exhaust emissions, controls noise pollution and delivers reliable all-day performance on a single charge.

Key features include:

• Driver-first design. The Volterra ZFL boasts a spacious, ergonomic cab with a consistent 15-inch step height and what McNeilus says is outstanding visibility and robust operator controls to support an efficient, comfortable working environment.
• Zero-emission technology. Powered by an advanced electric drivetrain with regenerative braking, the company says the McNeilus Volterra ZFL electric vehicle offers quiet operation and sustainable performance which can support environmental goals.
• Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Equipped with blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree cameras and lane departure warning, McNeilus says the Volterra ZFL eRCV can help enhance safety in high-traffic and urban environments.
• Proven durability. Integrated with the McNeilus Meridian body, the Volterra ZFL electric vehicle combines the strength and reliability customers expect with innovative electric technology, the company says.

McNeilus also notes the Volterra ZFL is optimized to navigate confined spaces like urban areas and commercial lots, while its overnight charging capability and regenerative braking system helps optimize battery life and efficiency—a feature the company says offers an ideal solution for route-based refuse and recycling collection.

“The McNeilus Volterra ZFL embodies the spirit of innovation that defines Oshkosh Corp.,” Dreas says. “We’re excited to highlight this breakthrough vehicle and its potential to positively transform commercial waste collection for our customers and communities.”