Abstract: A method of integrating an electrical system includes providing a chassis and mounting a body to the chassis, such that a storage compartment of the body extends longitudinally along the chassis between a front end and a rear end. After mounting the body to the chassis, the method includes shifting a center of gravity away from a powered tailgate at the rear end of the body by attaching a DC-DC converter to the chassis or the body at a frontal location that is within a longitudinal space containing a battery pack electrically coupled to a propulsion motor of the chassis. Next, the method includes receiving, with the DC-DC converter, electrical power from the battery pack at an input DC voltage; and providing, with the DC-DC converter, electrical power to a plurality of electric-motor-driven components of the body at one or more output DC voltages that are lower than the input DC voltage.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a vehicle body on a chassis having a frame, an internal combustion engine (ICE), and a transmission coupling the ICE with a plurality of tractive elements. The vehicle body includes an electrically powered body system and a hydraulically powered body system. A first power module is coupled with the ICE and is configured to provide rotary power to a hydraulic pump that is configured to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulically powered body system. A second power module is coupled with the transmission and configured to rotationally couple and decouple an electrical generator with the transmission. The generator is configured to charge at least one battery when rotationally coupled with the transmission. The battery is configured to provide electrical power to the electrically powered body system.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a vehicle body on a chassis having a frame, an internal combustion engine (ICE), and a transmission coupling the ICE with a plurality of tractive elements. The vehicle body includes an electrically powered body system and a hydraulically powered body system. A first power module is coupled with the ICE and is configured to provide rotary power to a hydraulic pump that is configured to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulically powered body system. A second power module is coupled with the transmission and configured to rotationally couple and decouple an electrical generator with the transmission. The generator is configured to charge at least one battery when rotationally coupled with the transmission. The battery is configured to provide electrical power to the electrically powered body system.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a wheeled chassis, a battery pack, a refuse collection body, and a DC-DC converter. The wheeled chassis has an electric propulsion motor connected to a road wheel of the chassis. The battery pack has multiple battery cells and provides electrical power to the propulsion motor. The refuse collection body is carried by the chassis and defines a refuse storage compartment. The refuse collection body includes a refuse packer driven by an electric packer motor. The refuse collection body also includes a powered tailgate driven by an electric tailgate motor. The DC-DC converter is connected to the battery pack and provides electrical power to the electric packer motor and to the electric tailgate motor at one or more DC voltages different than a voltage provided by the battery pack to the DC-DC converter.