Starting in January 2007, the only refuse collection trucks on the streets of Smithtown NY will be cost-effective, environmentally friendly compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles — many of them Xpeditor trucks from Autocar.
Smithtown has mandated that trash haulers contracted to serve its 116,000 residents must switch from diesel trucks to CNG-powered models. Autocar Xpeditor WXLL natural gas refuse trucks, supplied by Hallahan Truck sales, are key components of the Smithtown program. Autocar's partner-supplier Cummins Inc manufactures the Xpeditor's CNG-powered Cummins-Westport engine, which produces less harmful emissions than a comparable diesel engine and meets 2007 federal clean air emission standards.
Smithtown's Supervisor Patrick Vecchio estimates that the new natural gas refuse trucks will reduce trash collection costs for the town, as well as its dependence on foreign oil.
To support the transition from diesel to natural gas, Smithtown has signed a seven-year fixed-price contract with Clean Energy, provider of natural gas (CNG and LNG) fuel for vehicles and related services.