Global Environmental Products tests innovative Extended Range Hybrid Sweeper
Global Environmental Products has long been at the forefront of innovation in the street sweeper industry, pioneering advancements in both fully electric and hybrid vehicle technologies. In January 2026, the company will further solidify its leadership with the launch of its latest development: an extended-range hybrid electric street sweeper engineered to bridge the gap between conventional internal combustion models and full battery-electric platforms.
This next-generation sweeper presents municipalities with a cost-effective entry point into electric vehicle adoption — providing measurable fuel and maintenance savings while requiring significantly less infrastructure investment. Designed with both performance and practicality in mind, the platform is optimized for municipalities where traditional electric sweepers remain financially or operationally out of reach.
“We’ve engineered high-capacity sweepers with large battery systems in the past,” explained Sebastian Mentelski, Director at Global Environmental Products. “However, these systems come at a premium — especially for agencies without access to state or federal funding. For many smaller municipalities, the capital costs of a fully electric fleet can be prohibitive.”
Recognizing the need for scalable electrification, Global’s new extended-range hybrid platform delivers the environmental and operational benefits of an electric drive system — without the high up-front costs typically associated with full electrification. Unlike standard EV or hybrid sweepers, this model incorporates a compact battery pack, enabling overnight charging and electric-only sweeping for approximately 2.5 hours per cycle.
“When the battery depletes to about 20% state of charge, the onboard engine seamlessly engages and recharges the battery in roughly 45 minutes,” Mentelski explained. “Once recharged, the engine disengages, and the unit resumes electric operation—automatically, without any operator input.”
This intelligent hybrid configuration maintains the performance standards of a fully electric sweeper while reducing daily fuel consumption from an estimated 38-45 gallons to just 5-7 gallons per hour. The system enables full-shift operation — even in the event of missed charging — while delivering the clean energy benefits and public goodwill associated with electrified municipal fleets.
With significantly lower capital costs than traditional EV sweepers, the extended-range hybrid offers a compelling return on investment. “For most customers, factoring in fuel and maintenance savings, the breakeven point occurs around the seven-year mark,” Mentelski noted. “Beyond that, operators continue to benefit from reduced operational expenditures for years.”
By relying on electric propulsion for a portion of daily operation, the hybrid system also reduces mechanical strain on the engine, translating to reduced maintenance needs and extended component life. Additionally, it removes the barrier of costly charging infrastructure; while full EV sweepers may require $150,000-plus DC fast charging stations, the plug-in hybrid charges on standard overnight systems and can continue operating even if charging was not performed.
The hybrid model is particularly well-suited for colder climates, where concerns about range degradation can be pronounced. The inclusion of a combustion engine as a supplementary power source eliminates range anxiety and ensures operational continuity, regardless of weather or charging habits.
“If a user forgets to plug it in overnight, it’s not a crisis,” Mentelski said. “The unit will simply operate longer in charging mode and continue the shift.”
Global Environmental currently has two pre-production models undergoing field testing, with full-scale production scheduled to begin in 2026. Once available, this hybrid model will complement Global’s existing diesel and fully electric product lines — offering customers a versatile, middle-ground solution that balances sustainability, affordability and reliability.
“We’re proud to give municipalities three solid options for their fleet needs,” Mentelski said. “They can choose a traditional diesel unit, a fully electric model or this new extended-range plug-in hybrid.”
For more information on the upcoming release and other innovations at Global Environmental Products, visit www.globalsweeper.com.
No2: The Global Sweeping system is designed to sweep up to 3 tons of sand per minute. No3: The M4PHEV Extended Range system allows for operating the sweeper continuously. There is no need to park the sweeper to recharge the batteries. The on-board charging system allows for sweeping in colder climates, while operators can sweep through multiple shifts. No1: Global M4 EV Rear Dump Street Sweeper will offer a high-capacity battery with a longer range. The electric drive motor is revised and upgraded to provide much more torque and increased efficiency.
