Our Environmental Commitment Rolls On With Hybrid Bucket Trucks

 

At Green Mountain Power we're taking another step to operate with the lowest possible environmental impact by putting our first hybrid bucket truck into service.  The vehicle runs on a combination of biodiesel and batteries, and will dramatically cut emissions and fuel usage. As Rebecca Towne, Green Mountain Power’s fleet manager said;  “Our customers will immediately notice a difference if the hybrid truck is operating in their neighborhood. Lineworkers generally need to run a conventional truck's motor to use equipment on the truck, but a hybrid can run off batteries for up to 20 minutes which reduces inefficient idling, noise and exhaust at the jobsite.” The new hybrid truck is expected to offer a number of advantages, including:

 

Ø     Lower fuel usage up to 60%

Ø     Less idling time by 87%, saving fuel and reducing noise

Ø     Fewer maintenance costs due to reduced use of the diesel engine

The hybrid system recovers and stores energy normally lost during braking by charging batteries, and at low speeds, the charged batteries power an electric motor that assists the diesel engine to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions. GMP will continue to add hybrid vehicles to its fleet as older trucks and cars need replacement.  Rebecca labels it as "cutting edge technology that is a great step for Vermonters. It reduces our operating costs, which ultimately benefits customers and also directly contributes to the improvement of Vermont’s carbon footprint."