New England vitality firm Avangrid introduced plans to buy 130 new diesel-electric hybrid bucket vehicles as half of a bigger procurement plan to impress the utility service fleets of its subsidiary firms.
At any time when we speak about plug-in hybrids or range-extended EVs, it may be powerful to differentiate between a real effort to cut back dangerous carbon emissions and company greenwashing. On this case, nevertheless, it looks as if Avangrid’s improvement of a diesel-electric hybrid resolution is sensible – particularly when you think about the truth that these vehicles might have to function for hours on finish in areas that won’t have prepared entry to electrical energy for a number of days.
In contrast to the totally electrical bucket vehicles we’ve coated earlier than, these vehicles use a standard Freightliner M2 chassis and Tier 4 Closing diesel powertrain to get from A to B, however makes use of a big onboard battery to effectively energy and management the Altec-supplied bucket arm. This allows the truck’s operator(s) to maintain working with out idling the diesel – and which means a major discount in diesel emissions the place individuals dwell and work.
What’s extra, Avangrid work crews can can preserve the cabin heated or cooled throughout extreme climate utilizing solely the saved battery, additional lowering gas use and carbon emissions in comparison with standard diesels.
“It’s essential that Avangrid lives its values as a number one sustainable firm and drives innovation throughout the enterprise. On this case, we’re increasing our use of latest applied sciences that can make us extra vitality environment friendly,” explains Avangrid CEO, Pedro Azagra. “Hybrid automobiles will even enhance the well being and security of our staff and the communities we serve, whereas preserving Avangrid’s potential to answer emergencies in our service space and past.”
Avangrid plans to place these hybrid vehicles in service all through the northeast, with firms like NYSEG (proven, at prime) and the village of Freeport, NY, among the many first to deploy hybrid bucket vehicles. Freeport says its lone hybrid truck will save between 30% and 50% on gas prices, and scale back the municipality’s CO2 emissions as much as 10 tons yearly all by itself. Do that very same math 130 instances, and also you’ll begin to perceive why Avangrid clients may be respiration somewhat bit simpler as soon as these vehicles get on the highway.
Avangrid goals to transform 60% of its heavy-duty fleet to low-emission and different fuels, and 100% of its light-duty fleet to battery electrical energy by 2030.
Electrek’s Take
Over at The Heavy Gear Podcast, we had an opportunity to speak to the fellows from Tempest Storm Leases about a few of the gear they use and the way they put it to work to revive energy after excessive climate occasions. It was my first publicity to a few of the various whys and hows that go into deciding on the gear property they handle, and I feel it’d assist clarify a few of the causes I’m going a bit simpler on these guys than you would possibly anticipate.
That mentioned: Avangrid can do higher than 130 hybrids, and must observe the higher instance of utilities like SoCal Edison and ComEd and do extra to assist its clients electrify.
SOURCES | IMAGES: Avangrid, Village of Freeport.
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