Refuse Hauler Market, North America and Europe, 2025-2030

Alternate Fuel Technologies and Connectivity are Driving Transformational Growth

Heavy-duty vehicles contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for a quarter of global transportation sector emissions. Stakeholders in this industry focus on reducing their carbon footprint. The operational nature of the refuse hauler industry makes it particularly suitable for electric refuse trucks. In addition to electric vehicles, pilot programs for connected and autonomous vehicles are being developed. Original equipment manufacturers are collaborating with solution providers to establish comprehensive roadmaps for commercial rollout.

The refuse industry aims to lower carbon emissions by decarbonizing its processes and vehicle fleets. To achieve this, companies plan to enhance waste collection schedules and upgrade their fleets to low or zero-emission powertrains. Additionally, factors such as operational safety, improved route planning, and labor shortages are expected to drive the adoption of connected, autonomous, and alternative powertrains in the industry.

The research offers a comprehensive analysis of waste management and key metrics in the refuse truck industry. It also examines the effects of the transformational changes on the market for refuse truck tires. Additionally, the study investigates the evolution of demand for original equipment tires within the industry.

The study period is 2024-2030, with 2024 as the base year and 2025-2030 as the forecast period. Geographic coverage includes North America (the United States and Canada) and Europe, with a particular focus on EU4 (France, Germany, Spain, and Italy).

Report Summary: Refuse Hauler Market

The Refuse Hauler Market across North America and Europe reflects a mature and replacement-driven industry structure, supported by consistent municipal waste collection requirements and long-term service contracts. According to the unit sales forecast presented in the PDF, total refuse hauler unit sales stood at 15,242 units in 2024 and are projected to increase to 16,455 units by 2030, indicating modest but steady growth over the forecast period.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• North America represents the largest regional market by unit volume, supported by high municipal solid waste generation, a large installed base of refuse haulers, and a well-established private waste management ecosystem.
• In the United States, gradual adoption of alternative fuel refuse haulers and connected fleet technologies is influencing fleet replacement decisions, although overall unit growth remains incremental.
• The market is predominantly replacement-led, with new vehicle demand closely tied to fleet age, maintenance requirements, and compliance with evolving emissions and safety regulations.
• Within the Garbage Collection Vehicle Market, packer trucks remain the most widely deployed refuse hauler type, reflecting their suitability for residential and urban waste collection operations.
• Europe represents the second-largest regional market by unit sales, with demand shaped by emissions regulations, sustainability initiatives, and urban infrastructure constraints.

Market Dynamics Overview

From 2024 to 2030, refuse hauler unit sales across North America and Europe are expected to grow at a low single-digit rate, underscoring the mature nature of the Garbage Truck Market. Market evolution is increasingly driven by technology upgrades, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency improvements rather than expansion in fleet size. As a result, the Refuse Hauler Market is expected to maintain stable demand fundamentals throughout the forecast period.

Market Overview & Trends: Refuse Hauler Market

The Refuse Hauler Market is undergoing a gradual but structural evolution as waste management operators adapt to rising urban density, environmental regulations, and cost-efficiency pressures. Traditionally characterized by stable demand and long vehicle replacement cycles, the Garbage Truck Market is now increasingly influenced by sustainability targets and digital transformation initiatives.

One of the most prominent trends shaping the Garbage Collection Vehicle Market is the transition toward alternative fuel powertrains. Municipalities and private operators are progressively adopting compressed natural gas (CNG), battery-electric, and pilot hydrogen fuel cell refuse trucks to reduce emissions and noise in urban environments. While diesel-powered vehicles continue to dominate fleet volumes, electrification is gaining momentum, particularly in densely populated cities with supportive charging infrastructure.

Connectivity and telematics are also redefining operational models in the Refuse Hauler Market. Advanced fleet management systems enable real-time vehicle monitoring, predictive maintenance, route optimization, and data-driven decision-making. These technologies help operators reduce downtime, improve fuel efficiency, and lower total cost of ownership across large garbage truck fleets.

Another key trend is the increasing focus on automation and safety. Automated side loaders, rear loaders, and advanced driver-assistance systems are being integrated into modern garbage collection vehicles to improve productivity and address labor shortages. OEMs are also enhancing cab ergonomics and visibility to support safer operations in congested urban areas.

Regionally, North America exhibits strong demand stability due to high waste generation and privatized waste collection services, while Europe emphasizes sustainability, recycling efficiency, and compact vehicle designs suitable for narrow city streets. Overall, the Refuse Hauler Market is transitioning from a volume-driven industry to a value-driven ecosystem, where technology adoption and lifecycle services are becoming central to long-term growth.

Scope of Analysis: Refuse Hauler Market

This study analyzes the global Refuse Hauler Market with a focus on industry structure, technology adoption, and competitive dynamics. The study period spans 2024-2030, with 2024 as the base year and 2025-2030 as the forecast period. All market values are expressed in US dollars.

The scope includes refuse haulers used for municipal and commercial waste collection, covering key vehicle categories such as packer trucks and roll-off trucks within the Garbage Collection Vehicle Market. The analysis encompasses medium- and heavy-duty garbage trucks deployed for urban, suburban, and residential waste management applications. Specialized vehicles outside core refuse collection operations are excluded.

Geographically, the study covers North America and Europe, reflecting mature waste management ecosystems with established regulatory frameworks and significant vehicle fleets. The assessment focuses on fleet size evolution, technology trends, and OEM strategies rather than detailed segment-level revenue attribution within the Garbage Truck Market.

The methodology integrates secondary research, OEM disclosures, industry databases, and expert interviews with waste management operators and manufacturers. Forecasts are developed using historical unit sales trends, vehicle parc analysis, macroeconomic indicators, and regulatory developments. Segment-level or industry-specific revenue splits are intentionally excluded to maintain consistency with the defined analytical scope of the Refuse Hauler Market.

Revenue & Spending Forecast: Refuse Hauler Market

The revenue trajectory of the Refuse Hauler Market across North America and Europe is closely aligned with underlying unit sales trends, which indicate a stable, replacement-driven demand environment. According to the unit sales forecast, refuse hauler deliveries increased from 15,242 units in 2024 and are projected to reach 16,455 units by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.3% over the forecast period.

This modest growth in unit volumes highlights the mature nature of the Garbage Collection Vehicle Market, where new vehicle demand is largely tied to scheduled fleet replacement rather than rapid expansion. Municipal waste collection requirements and long-term service contracts provide consistent baseline demand, limiting volatility in annual procurement volumes. As a result, overall market spending is expected to follow a gradual upward trend in line with incremental increases in unit deliveries.

The steady progression in unit sales also reflects extended vehicle lifecycles and cautious capital spending by municipal and private waste operators. Procurement decisions are influenced by fleet age, maintenance requirements, and regulatory compliance rather than aggressive capacity expansion. Consequently, the Garbage Truck Market demonstrates predictable demand patterns, with revenue movement primarily shaped by replacement timing and technology upgrade cycles rather than significant changes in fleet size.

Overall, the unit sales forecast indicates that the Refuse Hauler Market will continue to exhibit stable spending dynamics through 2030, supported by incremental growth in deliveries and the essential nature of municipal waste collection services.

Market Segmentation Analysis: Refuse Hauler Market

The Refuse Hauler Market is segmented based on vehicle type, vehicle class, application, and geography, reflecting the operational diversity of the Garbage Collection Vehicle Market.

By vehicle type, the market includes packer trucks and roll-off trucks. Packer trucks dominate demand within the Garbage Truck Market due to their extensive use in urban and residential waste collection. These vehicles are further categorized into front loaders, rear loaders, and side loaders, each designed for specific collection patterns and waste volumes. Roll-off trucks serve industrial and construction waste applications, supporting bulk material handling and container transport.

By vehicle class, refuse haulers span medium- and heavy-duty categories. In North America, Class 7 and Class 8 vehicles account for the majority of the active fleet due to their high payload capacity and suitability for large collection routes. In Europe, demand is more evenly distributed, with a higher share of mid-sized garbage collection vehicles designed for narrow streets and historic city centers.

Application-wise, municipal solid waste collection represents the primary use case across the Refuse Hauler Market, supported by consistent household waste generation. Commercial and industrial waste collection forms a secondary segment, particularly for roll-off garbage trucks.

Geographically, North America leads the Garbage Collection Vehicle Market in terms of fleet size and replacement demand, while Europe emphasizes regulatory compliance, emissions reduction, and compact vehicle design. Segmentation trends indicate increasing customization and technology differentiation rather than purely volume-driven growth within the Garbage Truck Market.

Growth Drivers: Refuse Hauler Market

The Refuse Hauler Market is supported by several structural growth drivers shaping demand across the Garbage Collection Vehicle Market.

Urbanization and population density growth are increasing municipal solid waste volumes, driving sustained demand for efficient garbage collection fleets. Expanding urban infrastructure and smart city initiatives further reinforce fleet modernization needs.

Sustainability and circular economy policies represent another major driver. Governments across North America and Europe are implementing stricter emissions regulations and recycling targets, accelerating the adoption of low-emission and electric garbage trucks within the Garbage Truck Market.

Privatization and outsourcing of waste management services are also boosting vehicle procurement, as private operators invest in newer fleets to improve operational efficiency and contract competitiveness. Additionally, advancements in automation and connectivity are improving productivity and safety, increasing the value proposition of next-generation refuse haulers.

Collectively, these drivers support consistent long-term growth across the Refuse Hauler Market.

Growth Restraints: Refuse Hauler Market

Despite stable demand, the Refuse Hauler Market faces several constraints. High initial investment costs for electric and advanced garbage collection vehicles limit adoption among small and mid-sized operators. Infrastructure gaps, particularly charging and maintenance facilities, further slow deployment.

Budget constraints at the municipal level can delay fleet replacement cycles, affecting short-term demand in the Garbage Truck Market. Additionally, regulatory complexity and uneven policy incentives across regions create uncertainty for OEMs and operators.

These factors moderate growth in the Garbage Collection Vehicle Market, particularly in emerging urban areas with limited funding.

Competitive Environment: Refuse Hauler Market

The Refuse Hauler Market is characterized by a competitive yet moderately consolidated landscape, with more than 20 active manufacturers generating over USD 1 billion in annual revenue across North America and Europe. Competition within the Garbage Collection Vehicle Market is shaped by long-standing OEM presence, high customer switching costs, and contract-driven procurement models dominated by municipal and large private waste operators.

Key competitive differentiation in the Garbage Truck Market is driven by vehicle efficiency, durability, automation capabilities, and energy efficiency, alongside total cost of ownership (TCO). OEMs also compete on aftersales support quality, customization flexibility, dealer and service network coverage, brand reputation, and upfront vehicle pricing. As fleet operators increasingly prioritize uptime and lifecycle performance, strong aftermarket support and service responsiveness have become critical competitive levers.

The primary end-user vertical across the Refuse Hauler Market consists of municipal and private refuse and garbage truck operators responsible for residential, commercial, and urban waste collection. These operators favor suppliers with proven reliability, compliance with regional emissions regulations, and the ability to support long-term fleet contracts.

Leading competitors in the market include Peterbilt, Freightliner, Mack Trucks, Mercedes-Benz, Scania, and MAN, which together account for a substantial share of new refuse hauler deployments. Other notable competitors-such as Autocar, International, DAF, Renault, Iveco, Hino, Isuzu, and Dennis Eagle-maintain strong regional or application-specific positions.

Market concentration varies significantly by region. In North America, the top three competitors account for approximately 82% of total market revenue, indicating high consolidation. In contrast, Europe remains more fragmented, with the top three players holding around 44% of revenue. Distribution structures include OEM-direct sales, retail dealer networks, leasing arrangements, and aftermarket service channels. No major acquisitions have been reported recently in the Refuse Hauler Market.