It’s not often garbage truck make news in the automotive world. But Seattle and Sweden are at the forefront of a new movement to help refuse trucks’ emissions problems.

Seattle has addressed the issue by using ultra-low sulphur diesel and a B20 blend of biodiesel. It has also retrofittied trucks to improve emissions controls.

In Sweden Volvo has launched "two hybrid refuse trucks into trials in regular daily
operations in Sweden."

The trucks feature a seven-liter, 320 horsepower engine and use lithium-ion batteries.
 
The hybrid system supports all-electric drive for accelerating from a standstill and increasing to 12 mph. At higher speeds, the diesel engine is activated. When the truck stops, the diesel engine automatically switches, avoiding idling. The batteries are recharged via regenerative braking.

The hybrid refuse trucks are expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent and thus cut carbon dioxide emissions by a corresponding amount. The truck with the extra battery pack for the refuse compactor is expected to produce reductions of up to 30 percent.