Heavy Duty Electric Truck Rolls Out To King County Fleet

RENTON, WA — King County on Wednesday became Washington's first to purchase a battery-powered truck for its fleet, which will join the Solid Waste Division to haul items between the Enumclaw Recycling and Transfer Station and the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill.

Kirkland-based Kenworth manufactured the truck at its Renton plant, and officials said it is one of the first of its kind in North America to be put to work for waste management.

"We are once again catalyzing new markets to accelerate the transition to zero-emission fleets, this time with reliable heavy-duty trucks built right here in King County," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "By leveraging the purchasing power of one of the nation's largest counties, we are proving to manufacturers that there is strong demand for vehicles that cut greenhouse gas emissions, lower maintenance costs, improve air quality and reduce noise pollution."

The executive's office said a cost analysis of the Kenworth T680E truck found it would also cost less to maintain and operate than a diesel, on top of reducing emissions and running quieter. A battery pack powers the truck's 536-horsepower motor and takes about three hours to reach a full charge. Hauling up to 20 tons, the truck can comfortably travel at 65 mph and last 150 miles on a single charge.

Constantine and other leaders traveled to Renton Wednesday to accept the delivery and take a tour of the Kenworth plant.

"We're entering a new and exciting time in the trucking industry," said Jim Walenczak, an assistant general manager for Kenworth. "We thank King County for its business and look forward to seeing this new Kenworth T680E on the road."

Buying the battery-electric semi is part of the county's broader goal to transition its various fleets into zero mission vehicles, including more electrified King County Metro buses. The county's current target is to have 50 percent of its heavy-duty trucks be electric models by 2038.