MidAmerican Energy becomes first Iowa utility to advance electrification of heavy-duty service fleet

With the addition of three all-electric utility bucket trucks in Iowa, MidAmerican Energy became the state’s first utility to advance electrification efforts for its heavy-duty service fleet and add to a company fleet that already encompasses 100 partially or totally electrified vehicles.

In going electric, the new trucks are capable of driving up to 135 miles on a full charge. They will operate hydraulic equipment for a full day’s range of work, including lifting crews and equipment up to 55 feet in the air for line repair, maintenance, and construction work. Separate battery sources keep the vehicles and their lift mechanisms going as they deploy to operations centers in Sioux City and the Quad Cities, as well as the company’s training center near Adel, Iowa. They will be used for indoor and outdoor training, as well as Des Moines-area line work.

Notably, the truck at the training center will be capable of use indoors. This is an advantage of the electric factor – it will not bring engine noise or emissions with it.

“One of our company’s core principles is environmental respect,” said John Guy, MidAmerican vice president of electric delivery. “We’ve already added more than two dozen electric vehicles to our light-duty fleet, which includes cars and minivans, and this is our first step in electrifying our medium-and heavy-duty utility vehicles.”

These trucks represent a pilot project for MidAmerican, during which their performance in working conditions will be put to the test. When not being used, the trucks will recharge at MidAmerican facilities equipped with fast chargers.

If successful, the company intends to expand its heavy-duty vehicle fleet and use them to advance zero greenhouse gas emissions goals. Other electric or hybrid vehicles currently in MidAmerican’s fleet include general-purpose vehicles, utility trucks outfitted with electric booms, and more.