Connect with us

Published

on

Mack showed up to the 2025 ACT Expo with a brand-new Mack Pioneer Class 8 semi and promises of a 300 mile electric version arriving next year, but when I asked them about the Mack LR Electric rear-loader shown above, they got real quiet. More, after the break.

The Mack LR Electric is a known quantity in the refuse truck space already, with a number of the trucks providing quiet, dependable service throughout the country as I type this — with many municipalities being so happy with their initial orders that they’ve committed to taking their fleets fully electric. Despite that success, however, one thing has been missing from the Mack LR Electric refuse truck offering that’s been requested by a number of municipal service fleets: a rear loader model.

Imagine my surprise when, two days after my good friend Jonathan Segal sent me a photo of a bright red Mack LR Electric rear loader, complete with “100% ELECTRIC” decals, patrolling the streets of Boston, Mack executives did not announce a new electric rear loader. I was even more surprised when I showed them the photo in question (at top), and they responded with a pause, then a careful, “we can’t comment on future product.”

And while, yes, most of these configurations are determined by upfitters like Heil and I’m sure anyone with a Mack LR Electric chassis and an Adidas gym bag’s weight in cash could get it done, that would have been an easy enough thing to tell me, too.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

A factory Mack LR Electric rear loader is, apparently, in the works. Stay tuned for updates.

Lots more Mack news at ACT

The sprawling Mack display at ACT was dominated by the all-new 2026 Mack Pioneer Class 8. Making its public debut in a jet-black sleeper configuration, the Pioneer was one the stars of the show, though the Mack LR Electric side-loader and Terex-developed MD Electric Utility bucket truck were also hugely popular.

The big Pioneer felt a bit out of place at ACT Expo, considering it’s a diesel-engined truck at a clean trucking expo. Mack’s people reassured the assembled press that its latest diesel semi was, at least, a much cleaner diesel than those of years past. Improved fuel economy means fewer carbon emissions, they said, as well as lower operating costs, while new emission control technology and engine tuning means fewer nitrous-oxide emissions, too.

Oh, did I mention the new Pioneer could run on 100% HVO diesel? As a low-er carbon fuel it’s a step in the right direction, I guess — but there are far bigger environmental wins to be had with battery power … and Mack fans won’t have to long for that, either.

Mack announces Pioneer Electric

Mack Pioneer Electric; photo by the author.

It’s just a slide in a deck so far, but the new Proterra-powered Mack Pioneer Electric promises more than 300 miles of fully loaded, 82,000 lb. combined vehicle weight range on the EPA cycle and the requisite DC fast charging that, in a current (read: previous-gen) Volvo VNR Electric, a 250 kW charger can get the big electric semi back to 80% charge and on the road in under 90 minutes. With megawatt charging and a more efficient battery, the next-gen Volvo VNL Electric (on which the Pioneer Electric will be based) will do the same trick in under 30.

For their part, Mack executives are confident their new Pioneer — regardless of powerplant — is going to be a winner. “The Mack Pioneer represents a transformative leap forward in commercial vehicle development, setting a new benchmark for what drivers and fleets should expect from their equipment,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “This isn’t just another truck – it’s a complete reimagining of the conventional model, redefining efficiency, uptime, safety and comfort through breakthrough innovations that prioritize both driver experience and operational excellence.”

The Mack Pioneer Electric is expected to bow in 2026, with deliveries of the American-made trucks presumably beginning sometime in early 2027.

Original content by Electrek.


If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Honda really wants to sell you a hydrogen fuel cell, today [part 5]

Published

on

By

Honda really wants to sell you a hydrogen fuel cell, today [part 5]

Honda came to this year’s ACT Expo in Anaheim, California with the perfect follow-up to the jaw-dropping hydrogen fuel cell-powered semi truck they showed off last year. This year, the company’s fuel cell is in series production – and available now.

“Honda hydrogen is open for business,” says David Perzynski, assistant manager of hydrogen solutions development at American Honda. “(We have) the fuel cell technology, the expertise, and the supply chain to power a variety of zero-emissions products, including commercial trucking and stationary power generation.”

The company arrived with a more developed version of its Peterbilt 579EV-based HFC semi concept, which is based on one of that brand’s existing BEVs and uses the Honda fuel cell as a range-extending generator for its 120 kWh battery … or, rather, it would – if it was ever plugged into a charger.

On battery power alone, the big Pete is good for up to 150 miles of fully loaded range. With the fuel cell along for the piggyback ride, however, the truck’s range climbs to more than 500 miles at an 82,000 lb. combined vehicle weight.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

More than just a range-extender

Honda envisions a world where its hydrogen fuel cell is used in much more than transportation and logistics applications. At the ACT Expo, Honda had a scale mock-up of what a hospital-sized hydrogen backup generator could look like – and hinted that such an installation might soon become a reality.

This is all very normal for Honda

Honda FCX hydrogen fuel cell concept; via Honda.

If it seems weird that Honda is pushing hydrogen so hard these days, it shouldn’t. Honda’s been developing hydrogen fuel cells for nearly forty years, and put its first hydrogen fuel cell car (the FCX concept, above) all the way back in 1999.

Since then, it’s put a number of hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles into series production, including the innovative Honda CR-V HFC hybrid that lets you fill the car’s 17.7 kWh battery with electrons at home for up to 29 miles of all-electric driving, then fill up the hydrogen tank for another 241 miles of driving … and they’re not stopping there.

We had a chance to chat with David Perzynski on Quick Charge last year, where he talked us through some of Honda’s hydrogen plans in more detail. You can check it out, below.

Hydrogen had a wild ride last year

Original content from Electrek.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

ID. Buzz recall: VW’s third-row bench is too big for its own good

Published

on

By

ID. Buzz recall: VW’s third-row bench is too big for its own good

Volkswagen of America is recalling nearly 5,700 2025 VW ID. Buzz vans because the NHTSA says the third-row bench seat is too spacious. (For real.)

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the third-row bench is physically wide enough for three people, but it’s only designed to hold two, so it’s only equipped with two seat belts. That mismatch violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, which covers occupant crash protection. A bench that invites three passengers but only protects two isn’t just awkward – it’s a safety risk. It simply makes it too easy to squeeze that third person in the back “just that once” without a seatbelt, and that’s inviting trouble.

Volkswagen will fix the ID. Buzz issue by having dealers install “fixed unpadded trim parts” that adjust the seat’s usable width, and they’ll do it for free, because recall repairs are always free. It’ll probably be hard plastic on the seat to ensure a third person can’t squeeze in. Owner notification letters are expected to go out starting June 20, 2025.

Volkswagen has reported that, to date, there have been “no field claims known” of safety issues caused by the extra-wide third row bench seat. 

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Read more: This is the 2025 VW ID. Buzz’s Electrify America charging package


If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Zenobē arrives in North America with a 500 unit EV deal in Canada [part 4]

Published

on

By

Zenobē arrives in North America with a 500 unit EV deal in Canada [part 4]

Electric vehicle charging and battery storage specialists Zenobē have inked a deal with Canadian leasing company 7Gen to fund more than 500 commercial EVs and their associated charging infrastructure.

Last week, Zenobē agreed to provide up to $48 million (Canadian) in debt financing to 7Gen to help expand its vehicle-as-a-service electric truck leasing program across Canada.

7Gen supports fleet operators with a comprehensive set of vehicle leasing and financing solutions that cover EV charger deployment, energy management systems, and ongoing operational support for Canadian fleet customers operating electric trucks, vans, and school buses.

Zenobē secured $1.6 billion in equity from its joint majority shareholders KKR and M&G Infracapital to fuel its global expansion into EVs and grid-scale batteries back in 2023. Since then, it’s grown to support more than 2,000 EVs and 120 charging depots across markets in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

We’re bringing our innovative funding approach to Canada and specifically to 7Gen,” says Steven Meersman, Co-Founder and Director of Zenobē. “We see momentum behind decarbonization in Canada’s supportive government policies and the clean, affordable power that will ensure a lower total cost of ownership for zero-emissions vehicles. We look forward to sharing our global experience electrifying over 120 depots to benefit 7Gen, its fleet customers and the wider electric fleet market in Canada.”

That innovative funding strategy is something Steven and I had a chance to discuss this week at the ACT Expo in Anaheim, California. “We’re being very careful in the way we approach the North American market,” he said (paraphrasing). “The market is fairly littered with the graves of other UK EV companies that have tried to find a foothold here and failed, so we’re being very careful about our partners.”

Despite living just a few minutes from his Chicago HQ, I’d never met Steven before this week. He’s a super-interesting guy and you will definitely learn a thing or two about how to build a multimillion dollar energy management company like Zenobē from our upcoming podcast (stay tuned for that). But the news here is 7Gen.

“Zenobē’s debt financing supports 7Gen’s next growth step and allows us to help our customers step up the pace of their EV adoption and benefit immediately from operational cost savings,” says Frans Tjallingii, CEO, 7Gen. “Zenobē’s team is well aligned with ours and we are thrilled to partner to scale our impact in Canada together.”

The company will begin rolling out its Zenobē-funded electric trucks in the coming weeks, with new partners and projects set to be announced shortly.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Zenobē.


If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending