Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), a leading sustainable energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, today announced that it will be purchasing over 130 new hybrid bucket trucks over the next three years as it continues to electrify its fleet across its Northeast utilities. While Avangrid already uses hybrid vehicles, this procurement plan represents a significant expansion in the Company’s use of proven alternative energy sources including electric, hybrid, and green fuels.
These hybrid vehicles, which will be procured from two different manufacturers, use a diesel engine while driving but only need electricity to operate the bucket lift. This comes with many significant advantages compared to traditional vehicles, including:
- Safety: This allows workers to shut down the trucks’ engines when working on power lines, eliminating their exposure exhaust fumes. The quieter electric motor also makes it easier for crews to communicate with one another.
- Fuel efficiency: Workers can operate the bucket lift and even keep the cabin air conditioned or heated during exceptionally hot or cold weather using only the electric motor, allowing workers to turn off the diesel engine and save fuel.
- Longevity: Utilizing an electric motor to power the bucket lift reduces wear and tear on the vehicle’s engine. This improves their reliability and keeps them operating more efficiently for longer.
“It is 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,” said 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.”
Meanwhile, Avangrid continues to explore other proven alternatives. For example, some of Avangrid’s fleet is already using renewable diesel (made of plant material) in its Lancaster, New York service area. The Company is working toward growing its use of green fuels, including in its hybrid vehicles.
The Company’s goal is to convert 60 percent of its heavy-duty fleet to alternative energy sources by 2030. This investment in hybrid vehicles is a major step toward Avangrid meeting that goal.
