Commerce City, COLO. (Jan. 13, 2026) – Commerce City officials stood alongside partners from Republic Services and Xcel Energy for a ribbon-cutting event this morning at the Commerce City Civic Center to officially launch a fully electric recycling and waste collection fleet in the city. The event marks a major milestone in the city’s commitment to clean energy and sustainable operations.
“Commerce City continues to lead by example when it comes to sustainability,” said Mayor Steve Douglas. “Being the first city in Adams County and the largest city in Colorado to adopt a fully electric collection fleet reflects our commitment to protecting public health while delivering essential services more efficiently, and putting our Sustainability Action Plan into practice.”
By the end of 2026, Republic Services will have 20 EV collection vehicles operating out of its Commerce City hauling facility. The new electric collection fleet is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower operational noise, and contribute to cleaner air, helping advance Commerce City’s long-term Sustainability Action Plan. The city provides residential trash and recycling service to all single-family homes and duplexes within the city boundary at no additional cost.
“Republic Services and Commerce City share a strong commitment to sustainability,” said Mark Petrovich, Republic Services area senior manager for municipal sales. “Through our strong partnership and support from Xcel Energy, we have accelerated sustainability through innovation. These state-of-the-art electric recycling and waste collection trucks are EPA-certified for zero emissions, quieter during collection and will help ensure a more sustainable future for Commerce City.”
The fleet consists exclusively of McNeilus Volterra EVs, the industry’s first fully integrated electric recycling and waste collection trucks. Developed with insights from Republic Services, these trucks prioritize safety and produce zero tailpipe emissions. Key safety features include 360-degree cameras, an enlarged windshield for improved visibility, lane-departure sensors, automated braking and audible devices that alert nearby drivers and pedestrians to compensate for their quieter operations.
The EV fleet rollout is made possible through recent investments in EV infrastructure, including advanced charging stations at Republic Services’ Commerce City facility, which provide the capacity needed to roll out a large number of electric vehicles simultaneously. Republic Services partnered with Xcel Energy on the rollout and received rebates and infrastructure support to help enable efficient charging of its fleet.
“Xcel Energy is proud to support Republic Services in its transition to electric vehicles,” said Robert Kenney, president, Xcel Energy – Colorado. “This project was the largest within our Clean Transportation EVSI program, which provides a turnkey solution for customers, covering every step from conception to completion. It also aligns with our company goal to reduce emissions across our system. We value the partnership we have with Commerce City and Republic Services and look forward to helping all Colorado communities reach their energy and sustainability goals.”
Republic Services has the industry’s largest commitment to fleet electrification and operates North America’s largest electric recycling and waste collection fleet, with more than 180 EVs on the road today. By the end of 2026, the company expects to operate more than 340 EVs, supporting climate action in the communities it serves.
