2010 Mercedes-Benz Econic, Garbage Truck Turned Green

Having to deal with trash everyday doesn't mean you don't have to comply to the same set of eco-rules all other must comply with. In fact, a greener a garbage truck is (because we are talking about garbage trucks), the bigger the impact it has on the environment.

With that in mind, the German from Daimler announced that starting with model year 2010, the Econic garbage truck will use BlueTec EEV as standard on all diesel powered units, making for a 33 percent reduction in emissions compared to the Euro 5 standard.

In addition to the BlueTec, Daimler will also provide optimized powertrain and combustion to increase performance but at the same time reduce wear and tear. The car is powered by a 6.9l M 906 LAG engine which produces 279 hp, while providing low emission levels.

Another novelty on the Econic is the raising/lowering function, now standard on all vehicles. This enables the chassis to be raised by 200 mm or lowered by 60 mm, allowing it to accommodate demountable bodies.

"As a true specialist vehicle for municipal transport as well as collection and distribution services, the Mercedes-Benz Econic brings to the road all of the qualities expected of vehicles from a number of different sectors: whether used as a waste disposal vehicle, for fire or airport services, or as a tanker or furniture removal, milk collection or heating oil distribution vehicle," Daimler says in a release.