McNeilus Volterra ZSL wins ‘Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee’ award

The Volterra ZSL electric refuse and recycling collection vehicle, produced by McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc., a Dodge Center, Minnesota-based business unit of Oshkosh Corp., is the winner of the 2025 “Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee” competition.

The contest is hosted by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Tennessee Manufacturers Association (TMA) and the University of Tennessee Center of Industrial Services (UT CIS). Among more than 100 entries, the Volterra ZSL vehicle earned the highest level of recognition through public votes over a three-month voting period.

The Volterra ZSL is the first fully integrated vehicle of its kind in North America and is manufactured in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is certified as a zero-emission vehicle by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board and is built to perform all-day routes on a single charge, according to McNeilus.

McNeilus lists key features including:

• high visibility;
• ergonomic cab;
• driver-first design;
• electrified drivetrain;
• smart battery system;
• zero-emission operation;
• cooperative regenerative breaking;
• advanced safety and productivity features; and
• proven refuse and recycling collection technology.

“We are incredibly proud to bring this recognition home to middle Tennessee and our team in Murfreesboro,” Oshkosh Murfreesboro facility Vice President and General Manager Mike Kephart says. “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 region home and to contribute to its growth and success.”

In addition to an electric side loader option, McNeilus unveiled its Volterra ZFL electric front loader at CES 2025 in January. The vehicle was featured as part of Oshkosh’s “Neighborhood of the Future, Airport of the Future and Jobsite of the Future” exhibit at the meeting.

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“The Volterra ZSL represents our commitment to innovation with a vehicle purpose-built to deliver safety, productivity and quiet operation for drivers, technicians, owners and communities,” McNeilus President Lee Dreas says. “Being recognized as the ‘Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee’ is an incredible honor that reinforces the hard work of our team and the promise of electric refuse and recycling collection vehicles for a more sustainable future.”