The nation’s first all-electric bucket truck is expected to go to work later this month at Xcel Energy in Minneapolis, Minn.
Xcel announced that the zero-emission truck, delivered two years ahead of schedule by Terex Utilities and Navistar, offers 135 miles of range and features separate electric power systems for the powertrain and the bucket. The truck was displayed this week at the Electric Utility Fleet Manager’s Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Xcel’s second all-electric utility truck from Terex and Navistar is scheduled to be delivered to Xcel’s Denver location towards the end of the year.
“We’re proud to be the first energy company in the United States to add all-electric bucket trucks to our fleet,” said Bob Frenzel, chairman, president and CEO of Xcel Energy. “By adding these clean energy vehicles to our fleet, Xcel Energy is demonstrating its commitment to leading the clean energy transition by becoming a net-zero energy provider for all our customers’ energy needs – electricity, heating and transportation, while also helping shape the electrification of the truck industry, which complements our overall vision to provide 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.”
Xcel Energy crews will use the battery-powered trucks in real work conditions during a six- to 12-month pilot. Their feedback will be used to help Xcel and other industry stakeholders to transition to commercial EVs. Xcel currently has 1,000 aerial bucket trucks in its fleet.
Xcel reports being one of the first energy companies to produce a plan to electrify all its light-duty vehicles and 30% of its medium and heavy-duty fleet by 2030. This supports the company’s vision to power 1.5 million electric vehicles by 2030.
Xcel Energy
