Energized through Innsbruck.

The Austrian waste collectors start their day early: as early as 5:30 a.m., the drivers and collectors meet to prepare for their routes. Shortly afterwards, the five-member team of the eEconic leaves the depot. Thanks to electronically optimised collection routes, they can largely avoid rush-hour traffic. Markus Fracaro explains: "By completing a large part of our work before rush hour, we avoid commuters and don't hinder pupils on their way to school."

The collection vehicle is emptied for the first time in the morning, and after the second visit to the landfill at 1 p.m. the shift is over for the crew and the eEconic – with an impressive total of around 20 t of residual waste collected each day. Thanks to smart planning and its quiet operation, IKB achieve their stated goal, which Markus Fracaro describes: "With the eEconic we can make waste collection almost invisible to residents."

By contrast, the eEconic's performance is clearly visible: the truck's recuperation is tailor-made for Innsbruck with its higher-lying districts and the mountainous surroundings. "When driving downhill, we can make up a lot and at the same time recover energy – and thus extend our range," enthuses Markus Fracaro.

Energy that then flows directly into the eEconic from on-site solar power: the photovoltaic system on the roof of the IKB plays an important role in the energy supply. After collection finishes, the Austrian midday sun feeds directly into the eEconic, making it fully operational the next morning.

The convincing performance of the eEconic has made the switch from a conventional diesel vehicle to an emissions-free truck not only easy for decision-makers but has also fully won over the crew. Their driver, Martin Haller, never wants to collect waste any other way than quietly and emission-free. He praises his pleasant companion in daily work: "I'm totally surprised and thrilled. The eEconic is noticeably quieter to drive and less strenuous for the team at the back to operate. It's quieter, more environmentally friendly, and the field of vision is much larger."

The all-round good visibility through the panoramic windscreen offers a huge safety advantage in the hectic chaos of everyday traffic; in addition, the electric truck features further innovative safety systems: Frontguard Assist, Sideguard Assist 2, the camera systems and Active Brake Assist 5 make movement, especially in urban areas where cyclists and pedestrians are present, safer for all road users.

The Innsbruck fleet comprises 30 trucks. It already predominantly consists of vehicles from Daimler Truck — and that share is increasing. This is due not only to the excellent service of the local Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks partner, Auer GmbH, but also to the desire to further electrify the fleet — with the right manufacturer at their side and a clear vision for the future.

The national federal funding also contributes to this vision, as it subsidizes 80% of the price difference between diesel-powered vehicles and the electric vehicle. For this reason, the Innsbruck eEconic will be joined by at least three new all-electric colleagues from Daimler Truck by the end of 2025.