The electrification of waste collection logistics is gaining momentum at an unprecedented pace. Switzerland and Austria are emerging as European frontrunners in this transition. Basel is leading by example – and STUMMER is actively helping to shape this transformation.

The shift is both visible and measurable. In Switzerland, around 90 percent of newly procured waste collection vehicles are already electric. Austria currently stands at approximately 40 percent, with the share continuing to rise rapidly. Municipalities and private waste management companies alike are driving this development forward. Vehicle manufacturers, body builders and operators are working closely together to establish electric mobility as a practical solution for everyday operations.

The City of Basel is a prime example of this progress. Together with STUMMER and system partner CONTENA OCHSNER, one of Europe’s most advanced municipal waste collection fleets is taking shape. The first Meili Micro XL entered service in 2025. Today, 15 fully electric waste collection vehicles are in operation, including six compact vehicles designed for narrow streets as well as high-capacity bodies mounted on Mercedes-Benz eActros chassis for the city’s main collection routes.

The MEILI vehicles equipped with MICRO XL bodies are purpose-built for urban operations. Narrow, highly manoeuvrable and featuring all-wheel steering, they provide access to areas that were
previously difficult to reach, while integrated compaction systems ensure high operational efficiency.

“For Basel, electric mobility is part of a long-term climate strategy. Vehicles, infrastructure and operations must be considered as one integrated system,” says Roger Reinauer, Cantonal Engineer and Head of the Civil Engineering Department of the City of Basel. The strategy is clear: the fleet is being converted step by step, delivering measurable results. Alongside CO₂ reduction, the significantly lower noise levels in residential areas are among the most noticeable benefits.

STUMMER understands what it takes to make this transition successful. CEO Johann Streif explains: “What matters most is that the solutions work reliably and meet the practical requirements of cities and municipalities.”

The first two roof-mounted crane vehicles for emptying underground waste containers were delivered to the City of Basel in early 2021 and have proven highly successful in daily operation.
Additional vehicles of this type are planned.

Basel is far from an isolated case. From Geneva and Zurich to private waste management companies such as Leisibach and Obrist, electrification continues to advance across Switzerland. In Austria, cities including Vienna and Linz, along with companies such as Saubermacher and Brantner, are also actively driving the transition.

Brantner Green Solutions – another contribution to Austria’s electric mobility transition.
© Brantner Green Solutions

The range of applications extends from compact Meili vehicles for inner-city operations to powerful four-axle crane vehicles designed for demanding collection tasks. Electric mobility has arrived in waste collection logistics and is evolving from a niche solution into the new industry standard.

STUMMER electric collection vehicle in operation for Linz AG. © Department of Construction and Transport of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, Civil Engineering Department Operations.

Renato Heiniger, CEO of Contena Ochsner, says: “Electric mobility is not a trend; it is a necessary step toward a sustainable future. Municipalities need to approach this transformation holistically – and that is exactly where we support them.”

Electric Mobility in Basel at a Glance

• 210,529 residents within the collection area
• Up to 11 daily collection routes for municipal waste, Up to 12 daily collection routes for paper and cardboard
• Electric vehicles in operation: three-axle collection vehicles, compact MEILI vehicles and crane-equipped vehicles

Annual Collection Volumes:

• Municipal waste: approximately 26,700 tonnes
• Commercial waste: approximately 4,300 tonnes
• Paper and cardboard: approximately 6,500 tonnes
• Glass: approximately 4,000 tonnes
• Areas of Operation, Waste collection, Recyclable materials logistics, Street cleaning and Special-purpose operations