Mobile’s new electric garbage truck gets a “Cars”-inspired name

Mobile Garbage Trucks
Say hello to Lightning McClean. (City of Mobile)

After weeks of suggestions and voting, the City of Mobile’s new electric garbage truck finally has a name—Lightning McClean. Keep reading to find out more about this innovative new addition to the city.

Lightning McClean

If you’ve ever seen the Disney classic Cars, you’ll get this reference right away—it’s a play on the main character’s name, Lightning McQueen.

In October, the City announced that they’d be naming the truck with the help of community involvement, and Mobile locals did not disappoint. With over 850 suggestions and 3,800 votes, the new fully electric garbage truck got a lot of attention.

The clever name “Lightning McClean” came out on top, beating out alternatives like “Sparky,” “Trashy McTrashface” and “Optimus Grime.”

Now that the truck has a name, the City plans to outfit it with a custom wrap so that its name can be proudly displayed as it drives through the streets of Mobile.

The first electric garbage truck in Alabama

With Lightning McClean, the City of Mobile has become the first city in Alabama with an electric garbage truck servicing its residents. The truck was purchased for over $300,000 supplied by ADECA grant funding.

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Sarah Gronberg
Sarah Gronberg
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