VEC's New Hybrid Bucket Trucks Are Easing Work and Saving Money

 VEC has recently put into service two new hybrid bucket trucks to serve the Grand Isle and Richford districts. (Lineworker Gabe Baraw, above, is one of the members of the Grand Isle line crew who operates these trucks) 

The trucks have large batteries that supply power to the truck’s boom and bucket so that when lineworkers are making repairs or upgrades, the truck’s diesel engine doesn’t need to run. Like any electric vehicle, the truck’s battery can be charged with a standard vehicle charger. In addition, the battery is also charged when the truck is moving. 

Grand Isle district lineworker Chris Connelley, who runs one of the trucks, says overall he’s pleased with the way the truck operates and sees two main benefits of the rig’s set up: fuel savings and quieter operation. He estimates that under normal operations the truck uses about a third of the diesel fuel as a standard bucket truck because of the reduced idling time. “We fill the truck up with diesel maybe every three days, where you might be filling up a traditional truck every day,” he says. On the battery side, he says the travel to and from jobs tends to fill the battery to the point where on most days, it’s mostly recharged when it returns to the shop. 

Connelley also says that while the truck is at a work site, communications between workers in the bucket and people on the ground – whether they are fellow VEC lineworkers, members, even motorists – is far easier because the engine isn’t running. He noted that the lack of idling is especially helpful when working for periods in dense residential areas or trailer parks when the engine noise can be annoying to people over time. “The noise-related benefits – it just improves communications all around, and helps you be aware of your environment,” he said. "Overall, this truck is more efficient and makes our jobs easier and we're glad to have it as part of our fleet," he said.