From Diesel to Electric: Lancaster’s Loader Leads the Way

The Lancaster Transfer Station sounds a little different these days. In April 2025, a new, fully electric wheel loader showed up for duty and has been hard at work ever since. The new machinery was paid for in part through a Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant from New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES).

Lancaster is among a growing number of communities across the state using NH DES funding to purchase more efficient and all-electric heavy duty vehicles, including Lee, Farmington, Plaistow, Durham, Raymond and Bethlehem. Vehicles include plow trucks, fire trucks, refuse trucks, dump trucks, bucket trucks, wheel loaders, and more. 

For Lancaster, the road to an all-electric wheel loader began in 2023, when Transfer Station Manager Rusty Scott and Assistant Manager Rob Blanchette first explored options to replace aging diesel equipment. The proposal reached Town Meeting in 2024 and Lancaster residents had plenty of questions, such as about how the batteries would perform in cold New Hampshire winters and how costly they might be to replace.

Rusty came to the Annual Town Meeting prepared to answer questions. Having spent two weeks operating an electric wheel loader during a demo arranged by local equipment dealer Chadwick-BaRoss and a visiting engineer from Volvo Construction Equipment, he was able to provide clear, firsthand answers that reassured the voters and the warrant article passed.  

A Smart Transition from Diesel to Electric

The Lancaster Transfer Station had two aging diesel machines, a 20-year-old loader and an old Bobcat, both requiring expensive repairs totaling an estimated $28,000. Rather than sinking more funds into equipment nearing the end of its useful life, the town traded both machines in to meet DERA program requirements. Under the grant rules, the old diesel units were dismantled to permanently remove them from service.

When NH DES approved the grant, the town received the new Volvo L20 Electric loader just three weeks later. The machine has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $226,740. Thanks to a government entity discount, Lancaster paid just $136,000, and the DERA grant covered $61,470 of that amount. The remaining cost, roughly $60,000, was covered by the town.

The charger, provided by Volvo at no additional cost, plugs into a standard 110-volt outlet. With a 2–4 hour charging time and an average operating window of 4–6 hours, the loader is charged every three days and fits seamlessly into the transfer station’s workflow. It’s also powered in part by the facility’s 16-kilowatt solar array, keeping operating costs low and emissions near zero.

Cleaner, Quieter, and Cost-Effective

The benefits of the electric loader are already evident. The town has eliminated approximately $4,000 per year in diesel fuel costs. Maintenance has been minimal -  a quick five-minute weekly greasing of the articulating joints replaces the complex engine maintenance diesel machines require. With no belts or exhaust systems, the loader is simpler to operate and service.

Each of its seven main batteries is isolated for safety, and a small auxiliary battery powers the enclosed cab’s electronics. The machine comes with a six-year warranty, and Lancaster purchased an extended warranty for additional peace of mind. When the main batteries eventually degrade to 80% capacity, Volvo will buy them back, ensuring responsible battery lifecycle management.  Volvo estimates that each battery will cost $5,000 to replace at today’s costs.  

The new loader also offers practical advantages for staff. Its enclosed cab provides warmth in the winter, unlike the open Bobcat it replaced. It’s quiet, allowing operators to communicate easily without shouting over a diesel engine, and can run indoors without any air quality concerns.

Operationally, the electric wheel loader hits the sweet spot. The old loader was too large and cumbersome for some tasks, while the Bobcat was too small. The new unit is a “jack of all vehicles,” perfectly sized for pushing, loading, dumping, moving baled recyclables, and handling tires. Better yet, it’s compatible with the Bobcat front plate, meaning all existing attachments still work.  After 200 hours of runtime, staff are pleased with the vehicle’s performance. 

A Model for Other Communities

Lancaster’s experience highlights how state and federal programs can help small towns modernize essential services without breaking municipal budgets. By leveraging a DERA grant, doing thorough research, and leaning on existing solar infrastructure, Lancaster turned a daunting equipment replacement into a success story – acquiring cutting-edge equipment for only one-quarter of the listing price.

The town’s leadership, paired with the proactive approach of its transfer station staff, has created a North Country example of how clean technology can solve multiple problems at once, from aging equipment to emissions reductions to operational costs. Rusty Scott is happy to talk about the town’s experience with the wheel loader.

More information can be found in Clean Energy NH’s Diesel Vehicle Replacement 101 guide.and on the New Hampshire Clean Diesel Grant Program Website.  

Transfer Station Manager Rusty Scott can be reached at transferstation@lancasternh.org.  Contact sarah@cleanenergynh.org with any questions or to request a free support navigating your vehicle replacement project.