Mack Trucks has donated a fully electric refuse truck chassis to Río Hondo College, aiming to expand hands-on training opportunities for students preparing for careers in heavy-duty electric vehicle (EV) maintenance.
The 2022 Mack LR Electric chassis will be incorporated into the college’s long-standing alternative fuels program, which has traditionally focused on light-duty EVs. The donation represents a shift toward preparing students for the growing demand for electric technologies in medium- and heavy-duty transportation.
“This donation will give our program a significant boost as we expand from light-duty electric vehicles into the heavy-duty market,” said Professor John Frala, who leads Río Hondo’s EV program. “Our students will gain invaluable experience working with cutting-edge technology.”
The LR Electric model is part of Mack’s broader effort to support decarbonization in the refuse and urban delivery sectors. With no tailpipe emissions and a quieter profile than diesel counterparts, the chassis is designed for use in zero-emissions zones and areas with strict noise regulations.
Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America, said the partnership is meant to help prepare the next generation of technicians as the commercial vehicle industry transitions to alternative fuels.
The donation builds on past collaboration between Río Hondo College and Volvo Group through the Volvo LIGHTS project, which piloted several Class 8 battery-electric trucks and supporting infrastructure across Southern California.
The electric refuse chassis will be used by students to learn high-voltage safety procedures, diagnostics, and system integration — areas of increasing relevance as California and other states push for widespread adoption of zero-emission trucks.
Río Hondo College is one of a handful of institutions in the country with a dedicated alternative fuels training program and has served as a technical education hub for more than 30 years.
