REMONDIS Australia is taking further steps towards fleet decarbonisation by trialling the latest battery-electric, zero-exhaust-emission technology from Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
The company put the Mercedes-Benz eEconic 6×2 through commercial waste collection trials in Brisbane during August 2026.
The eEconic uses lithium-ion batteries to power electric motors in the drive axle.
The e-axle design eliminates the need for a traditional driveshaft, resulting in zero exhaust emissions and near-silent operation.
Energy recovery braking adds efficiency and journey longevity, making the truck well suited to stop-and-go urban driving.
eEconic trucks have been used across Europe in recent years.
The Australian trial model has been designed and built to comply with local truck mass and dimension requirements.
REMONDIS Australia CEO and Managing Director Björn Becker said the trial grew from long relationships between REMONDIS, its parent company RETHMANN and Mercedes-Benz, all iconic German brands.
He said REMONDIS has used Mercedes-Benz trucks globally, including in Australia, for many years, making it a natural progression to be first to trial eEconic technology on Australian roads.
He said modern waste management is about circular economy outcomes, and fleet operation is a big part of that.
Becker said: “Given that we operate 600 waste collection trucks across Australia, there’s significant scope and appetite for us to cut emissions more broadly, be it through electric, hydrogen or hybrid technology.”
He said the company is working with multiple truck suppliers and other stakeholders to progress that journey.
REMONDIS Australia Technical Executive General Manager Conor Flynn said the trial truck was tailor-made for Australian conditions, with plenty of effort and cooperation going into a bespoke model suited to local climates and terrain.
Brisbane was chosen because of its diverse operational landscape, he said.
The next steps are sharing and analysing information with Mercedes-Benz and other participants, including Superior Pak, which has overseen the body design.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks Australia Pacific Sales and Marketing Vice President Andrew Assimo said he has been thrilled to see the eEconic hard at work for REMONDIS and the Brisbane community.
Assimo said: “The Mercedes-Benz eEconic is the perfect choice for collecting waste and recycling day-in and day-out, delivering practical sustainability.”
He said the truck can allow REMONDIS to deliver customer-first waste solutions in near silence with zero exhaust emissions.
Given the truck’s track record in Europe, Mercedes-Benz will work closely with REMONDIS with a view to success in Australia.
The eEconic evolves from the diesel-powered Econic, developed by Mercedes-Benz nearly 30 years ago as a breakthrough, custom-made, city-friendly waste vehicle.
It offers drive output of up to 400 kilowatts, speeds of up to 100km/h and a range of up to 150 kilometres with compaction.
Three battery packs provide 300kWh of usable capacity, and they can be recharged in as little as 2.5 hours using a 120kW charger, typically at fleet owner depots.
Safety features include Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), panoramic windows, and advanced mirrors and cameras that aid driver visibility, offering new levels of precaution for pedestrians and other road users.
A low two-step entry point also improves driver safety by avoiding the repetitive climbs required by the high seats in many conventional trucks.
The trial builds on other electric truck trials REMONDIS has undertaken in Australia, and on the globally significant introduction of a zero-emission hydrogen-powered residential collection truck to its Illawarra operations in New South Wales in 2023.
