The first electric refuse trucks to operate in the Pacific Northwest region are on their way to Seattle, according to BYD (Build Your Dreams), which made the announcement this week. Two of BYD’s 8R Class 8 battery-electric refuse trucks, fitted with New Way Viper Rear Loader refuse bodies, will be delivered to Recology in Seattle for use in residential solid waste pickup.

BYD says its zero-emission battery-electric Class-8 truck chassis boasts optimal efficiency with regenerative braking and best-in-class power and torque. The electric trucks are quiet and clean, the OEM adds, which has an immediate impact on quality of life for the communities they serve.

 “We are excited to be the first to deploy electric refuse trucks to the Pacific Northwest region, demonstrating that clean, zero-emissions technology is the smart, sustainable choice for heavy industry,” said BYD Motors President Stella Li.

New Way manufactures a complete line of refuse equipment including the Viper mid-compaction Rear Loader bodies. With outside cylinders and operating valve, New Way’s streamlined Viper design offers increased efficiency, safety and value.

“By combining the innovative design of our Viper Rear Loader body with BYD’s zero-emissions battery-electric technology, we can produce the most efficient and sustainable refuse truck available on the market today,” said Don Ross, New Way Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Recology, an employee-owned company with more than 100 years’ experience in the waste industry, provides service to communities up and down the West Coast. The Recology mission represents a fundamental shift from traditional waste management to resource recovery. The vision at Recology is to create a world without waste by developing and discovering sustainable resource recovery practices that can be implemented globally.

Recology’s electric trucks will serve customers in Seattle and mark an important step in realizing climate impacts that address the region’s growing need to prioritize resiliency.

“Together with our industry partners, BYD and New Way, we can be a catalyst to affect positive, sustainable change, setting the stage for what a 21st century refuse truck should look like,” said Derek Ruckman, Vice President and Group Manager in the Pacific Northwest at Recology.

The electric refuse trucks are scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2019.

This story originally appeared at Fleet Owner.