Ace Recycling & Disposal

Location: Salt Lake County, UT
Fleet Type: All-electric Class 8 refuse hauler

Narrative

In August of 2022, ACE Recycling & Disposal marked a significant milestone with the introduction of Utah’s first all-electric Class 8 refuse hauler. This pioneering project received strong support from Utah Clean Cities, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Lancer Energy, Rocky Mountain Power, and BYD Motors. The cutting-edge electric vehicle became a reality thanks to a $231,900 grant from the Utah Clean Diesel Program—a program established by the EPA and managed by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) since 2008. The program aimed to incentivize the transition from older diesel trucks to new low-emission vehicles, covering up to 45% of replacement costs, including charging infrastructure for all-electric vehicles. “ACE Recycling & Disposal’s pioneering spirit means they are willing to take on the risks of being the first to adopt new technologies. Class-8 electric vehicles cost more than diesel, have more logistical hurdles, and require high-power chargers,” commented Free Reyes, Executive Vice President of Lancer Energy   and a UCC Board Member. “All those challenges aside; applying today’s leading-edge technologies allows ACE Recycling & Disposal to prepare for and build our renewable future. What an amazing thing it is to have a waste company that cleans our air.” Weighing in at 66,000 lbs when fully loaded and 22,000 lbs when empty, the electric refuse hauler boasts a top speed of 65 mph and effectively serves routes lasting up to 10 hours. The vehicle’s range reaches approximately 200 miles without the arm and around 60 miles with the arm deployed for 600–1,000 pickups.

ACE’s longstanding involvement with Utah Clean Cities Beyond Zero Green Fleets program showcases their leadership in adopting advanced fuels. This history includes successful conversions to RNG, underscoring ACE’s commitment to a gradual transition toward sustainable solutions. Reflecting on the achievement, Matt Stalsberg, one of ACE Recycling & Disposal’s owners, expressed the company’s vision, saying, “We are moving forward with our goal to generate renewable energy as a step to be self-sufficient and secure our company’s future. All of our green decisions have to make financial sense because you can’t do it for free.”

Outputs and Outcomes

ACE owners Lon and Matt Stalsberg pose with UCC Executive Director Tammie Bostick at the Aug 2022 unveiling event.

The successful implementation of the project led to several notable outputs and outcomes. ACE Recycling & Disposal introduced a single Class 8 EV refuse hauler with a 60-mile range, capable of serving routes for up to 10 hours. To celebrate this achievement, ACE, along with Utah Clean Cities and their collaborators, hosted a launch event attended by 50 participants at the company’s headquarters on August 4, 2022. The project’s success was also showcased through a dedicated case study on FuelsFix.com and featured on the JerryRigEverything YouTube channel, extending its reach to wider audiences.

Refuse hauler operations, with predictable routes and nightly charging opportunities, naturally suit electric vehicle technology. The electric motors’ simplified mechanics and improved starting and stopping abilities drastically reduce maintenance needs. This transforms ACE into a conscientious partner for their served communities, eradicating tailpipe emissions and minimizing noise pollution.

In terms of environmental impact, the year 2022 witnessed the hauler’s  estimated reduction of 3,679 gallons of gasoline-equivalent consumption and a decrease of 43.4 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

Best Practices & Lessons Learned

Collaborative partnerships with Utah Clean Cities, DEQ, Lancer Energy, Rocky Mountain Power, and BYD Motors underscore the power of collective efforts in achieving sustainable innovations. The strategic utilization of incentives, such as the Utah Clean Diesel Program’s grant, highlights their thoughtful approach to making clean technology adoption financially viable. ACE’s phased transition experience, progressing from CNG conversions, underscores the benefits of gradual shifts towards sustainable alternatives. The company’s commitment to public engagement is demonstrated through celebratory launch events and sharing success stories on platforms like FuelsFix.com and YouTube, effectively extending the project’s impact and raising awareness.

Key lessons learned include:

1. Strategic Workforce Development: ACE’s adept transition from CNG technology to a cutting-edge EV underscores the significance of strategic workforce development. Their team’s evolution, from gaining expertise in traditional mechanics to mastering new EV technology highlights the adaptable nature of a skilled workforce.
2. Seamless Fleet Engineering Transition: ACE’s successful shift from CNG to EVs illustrates the importance of seamless fleet engineering transition. Their ability to leverage their prior experience in CNG fueling systems to adopt new EV technologies efficiently showcases the transferability of engineering skills across different technologies.
3. Balancing Sustainability and Viability: ACE’s commitment to aligning long-term sustainability goals with financial viability reinforces the importance of striking a balance between environmental aspirations and economic feasibility. This approach ensures that environmentally friendly initiatives can thrive over time.
4. Operational Synergy Optimization: Identifying and capitalizing on operational patterns that complement the strengths of electric vehicles highlights the significance of operational synergy optimization. ACE’s ability to enhance efficiency and effectiveness through thoughtful integration emphasizes the role of strategic planning in the transition to sustainable technologies.
5. Evidencing Positive Impact: The quantification and communication of concrete reductions in emissions and resource consumption validate the tangible positive impact of sustainable technology adoption. ACE’s ability to showcase these outcomes effectively fosters credibility and inspires further change.

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Ace Recycling Fleet Story