FirstEnergy adds five hybrid electric bucket trucks to cleaner Jersey Central Power & Light fleet

The first five hybrid electric bucket trucks for Jersey Central Power & Light’s (JCP&L) fleet underwent final inspections this month as part of a FirstEnergy Corp. effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase efficiency in New Jersey.

“These hybrid electric bucket trucks are the first of many that will be added to the FirstEnergy utility fleet in the coming years, substantially reducing emissions while supporting the exceptional service we provide to our customers,” Samuel Belcher, senior vice president of Operations at FirstEnergy, said. “The initial deliveries are part of our previously announced plans to electrify 30 percent of our approximately 3,400 light duty and aerial fleet vehicles by 2030, with the goal of reaching 100 percent electrification by 2050.”

According to company estimates, this effort could reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 10,000 metric tons.

A significant focus of the new trucks’ development was on how they would handle idle time. Truck manufacturer Altec estimates that utility vehicles idle in park for the majority of their engine hours. While this means a lot of idle emissions being produced for most bucket trucks, these hybrids will use a high-capacity battery pack motor to power both their hydraulic lift systems and heating and cooling systems, rather than an idling diesel engine. In addition to cutting emissions, this should also significantly reduce noise production.

For the utilities using them, these changes should have the added benefits of extending vehicle life by reducing engine operation time, cutting fuel costs and maintenance expenses along the way. The trucks will need to be charged at least once a week but can self-charge up to 80 percent of battery capacity while being driven. A diesel component will still be present to provide power if its battery ever gets too low.

The trucks will be able to be charged through conventional power outlets, although quick charging stations are being installed at various company facilities for rapid, 45-minute charges. Such charges, as well as the amount of emissions, fuel, and engine hours saved, will be among data charted by onboard telemetric systems as well.

More hybrid electric bucket trucks will be rolled out to other FirstEnergy utilities in West Virginia and Ohio Edison as well in early 2022.