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Council pauses decision on electric refuse trucks after vendor recalls and funding uncertainty
Summary
Council reviewed problems with two electric refuse trucks ordered as a pilot project — manufacturers’ transmission failures and a voluntary recall — and tabled a contract amendment after staff flagged potential loss of $200,000 in federal grant funding; staff will report back with references and further details.
The Folsom City Council on June 24 deferred final action on a contract amendment to accept two electric refuse trucks after staff described ongoing technical problems with the vehicles and said federal grant funding used to offset the purchase may be at risk.
Marie McKeith, general services manager, recounted the purchase process: the city ordered two electric refuse trucks as a 2023 pilot to test zero-emission technology. Delivery was delayed, and when vehicles arrived fleet staff found multiple mechanical problems including repeated transmission failures. McKeith said the manufacturer acknowledged defects, is performing a voluntary retrofit that upgrades the motor, inverter, transmission and related components and is reworking trucks in the factory.
Staff said the vendor’s proposal addressed the deficiencies but warned council the delay could put about $200,000 in federal grant funding at risk because of agency timing and freeze periods. Staff told the council the trucks were originally ordered before the Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) regulations took effect and could count toward the city's ACF compliance and toward grant requirements if accepted.
McKeith said projected fuel savings for the two trucks are about $200 per day in combined diesel savings, and manufacturers also forecast lower maintenance costs. However, mechanics cannot service high-voltage electrical systems in-house, so electrical repairs would require outside vendors. The charging plan calls for Level 2 chargers with roughly 21-hour full-charge time and an expected operational range near 200 miles.
Council members asked about references for other municipalities operating similar vehicles; staff said the retrofit work is only now returning vehicles to purchasers and that references are being collected. A resident urged the council to pause and obtain operating references before concluding the pilot.
After discussion one council member moved to table the contract amendment to a future date chosen by the city manager to allow staff to gather additional references, confirm performance of retrofitted vehicles and clarify federal funding status. The motion to table passed on a roll-call vote. Staff said the trucks planned for Folsom are to be returned to the factory in September if the council does not change course, and that the vendor would cover warranty repairs for any remaining issues.
