City to Acquire More Natural Gas Trash Trucks

The City Council on Thursday authorized nearly $667,000 for two additional natural gas-powered trash trucks.

The new compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks will replace worn-out diesel vehicles assigned to the city's Solid Waste Division, according to the council meeting's agenda.

The new trucks won't hit the streets for about six months as they are assembled by a collection of companies that specialize in trash collection vehicles, according to Solid Waste Division Fleet Manager Rene Biadoma.

Beverly Hills has already purchased two CNG trash trucks and four CNG street sweepers. The city must comply with state air quality regulations that require a municipality with more than 14 garbage trucks to acquire alternative-fuel models when older diesel vehicles need replacements, Solid Waste Division Director John Garcia said.

Los Angeles Freightliner and Autocar, a division of Los Angeles Truck Center, won the city's contract to upgrade its solid waste collection fleet.

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