There was plenty of interest at WM New Zealand’s Auckland headquarters this week, as teams gathered to welcome a new addition to the fleet — the company’s first Mercedes-Benz eEconic electric rear loader.
Fleet team members, drivers, Board representatives and partners from Keith Andrews came together to see the truck up close, explore its design and share a morning tea.
While the new truck drew plenty of attention, the focus of the conversation was clear — what it means for the people who use it every day.
Waste collection crews spend much of their day getting in and out of their trucks, so the eEconic has been designed with that in mind. Its low-floor cab makes entry and exit easier and safer, helping to reduce physical strain across a full shift.
Inside, the cab can comfortably accommodate a driver and up to three crew members, making it well suited to collections such as inorganic services, where teams often travel together.
Behind the scenes, introducing a vehicle like this takes time and careful planning. WM New Zealand’s Fleet team has worked through extensive testing to ensure the truck performs reliably and meets the day-to-day needs of crews.
The eEconic joins WM New Zealand’s growing electric fleet, which now includes 60 electric vehicles operating across the country. Many of these vehicles have been developed through in-house conversions, with the fleet collectively travelling more than three million kilometres and avoiding close to 5,600 tonnes of emissions compared with diesel vehicles.
Bringing original equipment manufacturer-built electric trucks like the eEconic into the fleet is an important next step. As more purpose-built electric vehicles become available, they will help scale the transition to lower-emissions operations and support WM New Zealand’s long-term goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
The occasion was also an opportunity to acknowledge key partners. Keith Andrews worked closely with the Fleet team to deliver the truck and ensure it meets operational needs, while EECA provided funding support to help bring the vehicle into service.
By the end of the morning, many attendees had taken a turn inside the cab. For those who did, one thing stood out — thoughtful design can make a real difference to the working day.
At WM New Zealand, taking care of it means looking after the people doing the work, while continuing to find better, more sustainable ways to deliver for customers and communities.
WM New Zealand supports South Auckland communities tackling moth plant, providing safe disposal solutions that protect waterways and prevent environmental spread.
WM New Zealand celebrates Tui Tane-Mowat’s leadership achievement, supporting wāhine Māori development through programmes grounded in Te Ao Māori and real-world leadership.
WM New Zealand teams raised awareness and funds for bowel cancer, walking over 100km each to support early detection and those affected.
