5 Key Takeaways from Altec’s Fleet Electrification Summit 

Gathering a wide range of customers and industry leaders, Altec hosted its first Fleet Electrification Summit in April. The summit featured presentations from industry experts, moderated customer round table discussions and equipment demos of Altec’s range of electrification solutions. Below are five key takeaways from the summit. 

Customers have aggressive electrification goals. 

Electrification technology has been evolving rapidly over the last several years, and the goals of customers are keeping pace. While all-electric medium and heavy-duty bucket trucks were only a thought for customers just a few years ago, they are quickly becoming a reality as OEMs continue to introduce new chassis. 

Federal and state policies are also driving rapid adoption of electrification, be it through infrastructure incentives and funding or sales and purchaser requirements.  

Electrification technology needs to meet the performance requirements. 

Utility work comes with unique applications that need to be considered when choosing electrification options, and certain pieces of equipment are better suited for specific applications than others. 

Given current technology and the state of charging infrastructure, all-electric bucket trucks will likely not be used in a storm restoration situation that requires extensive travel to a destination that has widespread power outages. With a range that can average around 135 miles in normal conditions, Altec’s TA60 on the International eMV does work well in a local application. Based on data collected by Altec, boom operation only impacts range by 10 miles on average, leaving plenty of range for local work. 

Charging infrastructure takes planning. 

At the forefront of any conversation about electrification goals is the topic of charging. What is required to support an electrified fleet? How many and what type of chargers will be needed? Where should they be placed? Will operators use them consistently? When considering your charging infrastructure, it’s important to think long-term to avoid having to reinstall your charging stations multiple times. 

 Altec’s all-electric solutions make planning infrastructure easier because they feature an integrated ePTO and chassis that are both powered by the same batteries. This means the truck only has one battery pack that must be charged and requires only one outlet to complete charging. 

Fleet electrification is a journey. 

While much progress has been made in the last decade alone, the road to fleet electrification is a journey. Although there are certainly applications for all-electric vehicles as the infrastructure stands today, some applications will still require a combustion engine for years to come. 

Throughout the journey, it’s important to have an open dialogue about the state of technology and the unique needs of the utility industry. It’s necessary to address pain points and failures, but it’s also necessary to recognize the areas where electrification is a viable and preferred option. 

Altec has solutions to help customers achieve their electrification goals. 

For nearly 15 years, Altec has worked alongside customers to develop electrification solutions based on the unique needs of the key industries we serve. Based on this experience, Altec has developed a range of solutions designed for different applications.  

The Jobsite Energy Management System (JEMS) is designed to reduce idling and emissions while still providing a diesel engine. JEMS supports a zero-emission jobsite, eliminating unnecessary engine idling by providing lithium-ion battery power to the aerial device and jobsite tools, as well as cab heating and cooling. All-electric bucket truck solutions are zero-emissions whether driving to the jobsite or working at the jobsite. Altec’s integrated ePTO solution uses the chassis’ lithium-ion battery power to power the chassis and the PTO as an integrated system. 

As technology continues to evolve, Altec will continue to work with customers to identify their unique needs and provide comprehensive solutions without compromise.