Mercedes-Benz Trucks has delivered the first five battery-electric eEconic refuse collection vehicles to Abfallwirtschaft Stuttgart (AWS), marking another step toward cleaner urban waste collection in Germany. The handover took place during the opening of AWS’s newly built operations center in Stuttgart-Wangen, which was specifically designed to support an electric refuse truck fleet.
The first five trucks are part of an order for ten Mercedes-Benz eEconic vehicles that will gradually enter service across Stuttgart. Despite the city’s demanding basin-like topography, AWS says the electric trucks have already demonstrated strong performance while helping reduce emissions and noise in residential areas.
Each Mercedes-Benz eEconic 300 is equipped with a FAUN Variopress rear loader offering a 21-cubic-meter capacity, along with a FAUN Skylift lifting system. The trucks feature three battery packs with a combined installed capacity of 336 kWh, providing approximately 300 kWh of usable energy. Based on the first-generation Mercedes-Benz eActros platform, the eEconic is designed to complete typical single-shift urban waste collection routes without requiring intermediate charging.
To support its growing electric fleet, AWS has invested in a purpose-built charging hub at its new facility. The site features nine overhead truck charging units, several passenger vehicle chargers, and two DC fast chargers. Electricity generation is supplemented by one of the largest photovoltaic systems installed on a municipal building in Stuttgart, helping power the depot with renewable energy.
Christian Wilz, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Germany, said the eEconic brings locally CO₂e-free and exceptionally quiet waste collection to urban environments while strengthening the long-standing partnership between Mercedes-Benz Trucks and AWS.
“The handover of these ten vehicles marks an important joint milestone with Abfallwirtschaft Stuttgart,” Wilz said. “It reflects our shared commitment to developing solutions for the circular economy and improving the quality of life in our cities.”
According to Markus Töpfer, Managing Director of AWS, the new electric refuse trucks have already proven themselves under Stuttgart’s challenging operating conditions.
“The electric refuse collection vehicles represent a major leap forward for Stuttgart. Despite the city’s challenging basin topography, the eEconic trucks have proven their performance. They support a climate-friendly, future-oriented waste management system while improving working conditions for our employees. Their quiet operation makes communication in the cab easier and reduces the physical strain of daily work.”
To celebrate the opening of the new depot, AWS also hosted a public open house, allowing local residents to tour the facility and learn more about modern municipal waste management.
Alongside the ten battery-electric eEconic trucks, AWS has also added ten conventionally powered Mercedes-Benz Econic models to its fleet. The municipal waste management authority currently operates around 120 refuse collection vehicles as part of a total fleet of approximately 1,100 vehicles.
Built for Urban Waste Collection
The Mercedes-Benz eEconic has been produced at the company’s Wörth am Rhein plant since 2022 and was developed specifically for municipal applications. Its low-entry cab design makes frequent entry and exit easier for crews, while the large panoramic windshield improves visibility in busy urban traffic.
The truck also features the Multimedia Cockpit Interactive, which provides drivers with real-time information on battery status, energy consumption, and remaining driving range. Combined with its low-noise operation, the eEconic delivers both operational efficiency and improved comfort for drivers while reducing noise pollution for nearby residents during early morning collection rounds.
With dedicated charging infrastructure and renewable energy integration now in place, Stuttgart is positioning itself as one of Germany’s leading cities for battery-electric municipal waste collection.
