Autocar introduces smart battery cable for refuse trucks

Autocar has unveiled the Smart Battery Cable, which is designed to help reduce the risk of electrical fires in refuse trucks but notifying drivers if a chord is rubbed through.

“Our customers work in one of the toughest industries out there,” said Juan Higgs, ACX chief of engineering. “They depend on us to help them get home safe at the end of the day. That’s why we built ADAM and developed the Smart Battery Cable: because safety isn’t an afterthought to us. It’s our purpose from the very beginning.”

The Smart Battery Cable is designed for use in Autocar’s ACX Severe Duty Cabover. It can let drivers know of potential rub through via the company’s “Always Up” display if the wire short circuits, so that the driver can avoid thermal buildup and potential fires. As well as this, the cable works with a vehicle crank interlock so that once a driver has done an inspection or received repairs for the alert, the engine won’t start without the operator’s permission.

Autocar is equipping some ACX configurations with the Smart Battery Cable, but aims to make the system standard by 2027.