Jun 23 2009

PG&E Leads Test For First All-Electric Utility Truck

Posted by: Leonard Anderson

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. once again is taking the lead on road testing the first all-electric utility truck in the U.S. with an aerial lift for work on overhead power lines. The truck was developed by Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. Corp., with Altec Industries Inc. providing the aerial boom and platform. It will be the first all-electric utility truck to be put into operation by a major utility before being brought to market.

PG&E will put the truck through its paces on routine and emergency overhead tasks in the utility's service area in northern and central California and deliver test data to Smith Electric and Altec for development of a production model.

"PG&E is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations and helping to improve air quality in the communities we serve," said David Meisel, director of transportation services at PG&E. "We hope our involvement will lead to the accelerated development and mainstream acceptance of electric vehicles in our industry."

Bryan Hansel, CEO of Smith Electric Vehicles U.S., said: "The production of this truck is just the latest example of PG&E's outstanding leadership role in sustainability-related initiatives."

PG&E has also been active in deploying diesel-electric hybrid bucket trucks for field tests against a conventional truck, with results showing reduced fuel consumption and lowered emissions by operating an aerial bucket with battery power without the engine running. The utility also operates a large fleet of alternative-fueled cars and other trucks.

The new test truck is fuel-emissions-free, runs without noise of vibration and stores energy during stopping though a process called regenerative braking and then reusing the energy for acceleration. The vehicle has a top speed of 50 mph, a range on a single battery charge of more than 100 miles and a maximum aerial height of about 38 feet with a reach of more than 28 feet.

The news comes as the federal Energy Department begins to extend loans to automakers to develop new fuel-efficient vehicles. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today a $5.9 billion loan to Ford Motor Co., a $1.6 billion loan to Nissan Motor Co. and a $465 million loan to Tesla Motors.

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"PG&E" refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation.