Battle Motors: Interview with Battle Motors Founder and CEO Michael Patterson and Michael Bellino of Liberty Ashes

Battle Motors is a leader in the development of electric vehicle (EV) technology and has just partnered with Liberty Ashes, Inc, to bring the first delivery of battery-powered, electric refuse trucks to New York City. Liberty Ashes, Inc. will be using the electric Battle One Severe Duty Refuse and Battle One Crew Cab trucks to service customers in the Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Nassau, and Suffolk areas.

In February 2020, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio signed an executive order mandating an electric municipal fleet by 2040 in an effort to reduce NYC’s municipal vehicle emissions by half by 2025 and by 80% by 2035. This greenhouse gas reduction goal prioritizes the environmental direction of NYC by electrifying fleets, like garbage trucks, to benefit the environment.

Battle Motors was the natural choice of Liberty Ashes as Battle Motors trucks have undergone 75 years of continuous improvements to become better driving machines purposely built for tackling even the toughest routes without sacrificing a comfortable, safe, and solid driving experience. Liberty Ashes, Inc. will be one of the first private sanitation and recycling companies to purchase and utilize electric refuse trucks throughout the greater metro New York area, setting the standard for environmental clean energy impact. They intend to use power generated from eight of their own solar stations to charge the Battle One trucks. In the near future, they will be building a waste conversion facility in Jamaica, NY to convert 400 tons of municipal solid waste per day into renewable clean natural gas to fuel a fleet of the Battery Electric CNG vehicles to further reduce pollution and remove additional truck waste out of New York City.

Michael Patterson, CEO of Battle Motors, and Michael Bellino of Liberty Ashes, recently discussed their companies, opportunities, and more via an exclusive interview.

Meagan Meehan (MM): When did you both get interested in working with utility vehicles?

Michael Bellino, (MB): Liberty Ashes, Inc. was started in 1957 by my father, Frank Bellino. When he passed in 1969, my brother Stephen and I took over the business. When we started, we only had three trucks serving customers in a small part of Queens. Today we have customers all over Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Nassau, and Suffolk areas.

Michael Patterson (MP): As the founder and CEO of Romeo Power, an American pioneer in battery-powered energy, it was a natural progression to acquire Crane Carriers to expand our electric technology reach and create a national supply of electric vehicles.

MM: Michael Bellino, what is it about electric technology that appeals to you and Liberty Ashes?

MB: Electric technology is more efficient, environmentally friendly, and less costly. I have been using electric technology in my personal life for years — I just bought my third Tesla — so I am excited to bring electric trucks to my business. Electric technology is the future of transportation.

MM: How did Battle Motors get the contract for New York City and Long Island?

MP: Crane Carrier has had a decades-long relationship with Liberty Ashes in New York. Liberty Ashes is a private, family-owned company interested in being at the forefront of electric technology with us.

MM: What is Liberty Ashes most excited about regarding getting these vehicles on the road?

MB: We are excited that technology has caught up with the demand and we’re looking forward to getting the EV trucks out and going. We just purchased our first three EV trucks, but in the next five years our entire fleet will be electric.

MM: How else do you think companies can implement eco-friendly practices?

MB: Liberty Ashes is setting the standard for environmental clean energy impact. We intend to use power generated from eight of our solar stations to charge our electric trucks.

MM: What projects are coming up for Battle Motors soon and is there anything else that you would like to discuss?

MP: We’re of course excited about getting our electric trucks on the road. But I’m also excited to announce a new partnership with the UFC. Battle’s refuse truck customers and workers are the toughest of the tough in the US workforce. We are in the streets and in the factories, working with steel on concrete. The UFC® brand resonates very strongly with our family!