Small business innovation: Rubicon’s hauler and recycler network
We are developing an alternative fuel vehicle program for independent waste and recycling haulers through a partnership with XL Fleet Corp., a leader in electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets. The partnership will bring to life Rubicon’s desire to provide alternative fuel vehicles to our extensive network of waste and recycling hauler partners. XL Fleet’s offerings of hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric solutions (to be introduced in 2022), as well as charging infrastructure through its XL Grid division, can significantly accelerate fleet electrification by reducing upfront costs and complexity while also providing environmental benefits.
Transportation makes up approximately five percent of our customers’ waste related emissions each year. If we are able to greatly reduce the emissions of diesel-fueled refuse trucks, which emit 101 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) per year, we could contribute meaningfully to a reduction in total carbon emissions.34
Because most of our haulers are small, independent businesses, access to adequate financing to convert their fleets to electric or renewable natural gas is often an issue. We are therefore working to develop an independent hauler financing program. This is the power of leverage.
