Avangrid set to add 130 new hybrid bucket trucks to utility fleet

New England energy company Avangrid announced plans to purchase 130 new diesel-electric hybrid bucket trucks as part of a larger procurement plan to electrify the utility service fleets of its subsidiary companies.

Whenever we talk about plug-in hybrids or range-extended EVs, it can be tough to distinguish between a genuine effort to reduce harmful carbon emissions and corporate greenwashing. In this case, however, it seems like Avangrid’s development of a diesel-electric hybrid solution makes sense – especially when you consider the fact that these trucks may need to operate for hours on end in areas that may not have ready access to electricity for several days.

Unlike the fully electric bucket trucks we’ve covered before, these trucks use a conventional Freightliner M2 chassis and Tier 4 Final diesel powertrain to get from A to B, but uses a large onboard battery to efficiently power and control the Altec-supplied bucket arm. This enables the truck’s operator(s) to keep working without idling the diesel – and that means a significant reduction in diesel emissions where people live and work.

What’s more, Avangrid work crews can can keep the cabin heated or cooled during severe weather using only the stored battery, further reducing fuel use and carbon emissions compared to conventional diesels.

“It’s important that Avangrid lives its values as a leading sustainable company and drives innovation across the business. In this case, we are expanding our use of new technologies that will make us more energy efficient,” explains Avangrid CEO, Pedro Azagra. “Hybrid vehicles will also improve the health and safety of our employees and the communities we serve, while preserving Avangrid’s ability to respond to emergencies in our service area and beyond.”

Avangrid plans to put these hybrid trucks in service throughout the northeast, with companies like NYSEG (shown, at top) and the village of Freeport, NY, among the first to deploy hybrid bucket trucks. Freeport says its lone hybrid truck will save between 30% and 50% on fuel costs, and reduce the municipality’s CO2 emissions up to 10 tons annually all on its own. Do that same math 130 times, and you’ll start to understand why Avangrid customers might be breathing a little bit easier once these trucks get on the road.

Avangrid aims to convert 60% of its heavy-duty fleet to low-emission and alternative fuels, and 100% of its light-duty fleet to battery electric power by 2030.

Electrek’s Take

Over at The Heavy Equipment Podcast, we had a chance to talk to the guys from Tempest Storm Rentals about some of the equipment they use and how they put it to work to restore power after extreme weather events. It was my first exposure to some of the varied whys and hows that go into selecting the equipment assets they manage, and I think it might help explain some of the reasons I’m going a bit easier on these guys than you might expect.

That said: Avangrid can do better than 130 hybrids, and needs to follow the better example of utilities like SoCal Edison and ComEd and do more to help its customers electrify.

SOURCES | IMAGES: Avangrid, Village of Freeport.