MacNeilus® Volterra™ ZSL™ Wins the 2025 “Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee” Contest
McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), announced that McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc. has joined forces with Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK).® Volterra™ ZSL™ An electric waste and recycling pickup vehicle has won the 2025 “Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee” competition award.
The competition, hosted by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Tennessee Manufacturers Association and the UT Center for Industrial Services, highlights the innovation, craftsmanship and impact of products made throughout Tennessee. The McNeilus Volterra ZSL electric vehicle stood out from more than 100 participating vehicles, taking top honors through public voting and recognition from across the state, during the nearly three-month voting period.
The McNeilus Volterra ZSL is the first all-electric waste and recycling pickup vehicle in North America and is manufactured in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It combines zero-emission operation, driver-first design, a comfortable cab, outstanding visibility, advanced safety and productivity features, and proven waste and recycling collection technology – setting a new industry standard and helping communities achieve their sustainability goals.
“We are very proud to bring this honor to Middle Tennessee and our team in Murfreesboro,” said Mike Kephart, vice president and general manager of Oshkosh Corporation’s Murfreesboro facility. “This award is a testament to the dedication of our team members, the strength of our manufacturing community, and our deep commitment to Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. We are proud to call this area our home and contribute to its growth and success.”
“The Volterra ZSL represents our commitment to innovation with a vehicle specifically designed to deliver safety, productivity and quiet operation for drivers, technicians, owners and communities,” said Lee Dreas, president of McNeilus Trucking and Manufacturing. “Being named ‘Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee’ is an incredible honor that reinforces the hard work of our team and the promise of electric waste and recycling pickup vehicles for a more sustainable future.”
With an electrified drivetrain, intelligent battery system, cooperative regenerative braking, and certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a zero-emission vehicle, the Volterra ZSL eRCV is designed to excel while delivering all-day on-road performance on a single charge.
In addition to the electric side loader option, the McNeilus® Volterra™ ZFL™ electric front loader was unveiled at the Oshkosh Corporation booth at CES 2025, where it was displayed as part of the company’s “Neighbourhood of the Future, Airport of the Future, and Worksite of the Future” exhibits highlighting advances in electrification, connectivity and automation.
Kephart added, “We thank the Tennessee Chamber, TMA, UT CIS, Rutherford County Chamber, and the community of supporters who voted in this year’s competition to help highlight the innovation happening right here in Tennessee. We are especially honored to celebrate this win during Manufacturing Month.”
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