Samantha Impaglia 
Hoboken is making a few additions to its electric vehicle fleet. The City announced on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22nd, that it will deploy its first-ever electric garbage truck and HOP shuttle buses. The new vehicles join the Mile Square’s growing lineup of 30 electric or hybrid vehicles that make up the municipal fleet. Read on for more about Hoboken’s new electric garbage truck and HOP Shuttles.
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
The Details
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken announced the official arrival of the City’s first-ever electric garbage truck and two HOP shuttles that will join the growing EV fleet in the coming weeks via a press release. The vehicles were funded in part through a nearly $700,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
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The electric garbage truck, which will replace an existing diesel hauler, is significantly quieter than its predecessor and will begin servicing Hoboken neighborhoods in the coming weeks. The two new HOP shuttle buses will also make their debut in the same timeframe.
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
In addition to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing noise pollution, the electric vehicles are expected to improve overall air quality while providing a smoother, quieter experience for Hudson County residents. The vehicles will also cut down on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions — a leading factor in ozone pollution — by an estimated 150,000 grams per year.
Over the next 15 years, the three electric vehicles are also projected to save the City over $1.1 million in fuel costs, while also reducing maintenance expenses associated with traditional diesel engines. Together, the vehicles will eliminate the annual consumption of over 17,500 gallons of diesel fuel.
“This is a big moment for Hoboken,” Mayor Bhalla said in a press release. “By putting our first electric garbage truck and HOP shuttle buses on the road, we are taking real action to reduce harmful emissions and protect our environment. These vehicles are not just cleaner, they are also much quieter than the diesel models they replace. That means less noise in our neighborhoods and a better experience for everyone who lives and works in Hoboken. I look forward to these vehicles being put into service in the weeks ahead.”
The rollout of the electric garbage truck and HOP shuttle buses supports the City’s Climate Action Plan, launched by Mayor Bhalla in January 2019 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero energy by 2030. Phasing in electric and hybrid vehicles is one of eight priority actions identified for reducing emissions from City operations.
The City’s broader climate initiatives include expanding its residential composting program, access to renewable energy options for homeowners, and expanding public EV charging infrastructure so that every resident is within a five-minute walk of a public charging station.
It was recently announced that two new DC fast chargers would be installed at Seventh + Jackson Resiliency Park and on Garden Street near Observer Highway. Locals can also find two DC fast chargers on the 600 block of Washington Street, as well as two Level 2 chargers on Fourth Street near Garden Street.
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For more information about Hoboken’s Climate Action Plan and sustainability efforts, click here. For more information about electric vehicles in Hoboken, head to our article here.
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