CDE Lightband, a municipal utility providing electricity and telecom services to customers in Clarksville, Tenn., recently deployed its first hybrid-electric bucket truck to perform maintenance and line work on its electric distribution system.

The utility recently performed a demonstration of the aerial boom, which has a 60-foot working height, for Mayor Kim McMillan and local officials at the CDE Lightband office, reported The Leaf-Chronicle.

The new International brand truck helps reduce noise issues the utility previously had with its conventional diesel-powered equipment. When raising or lowering the aerial boom, the only noise comes from the electric hydraulic system, which also helps reduce emissions and engine idling. The diesel engine only comes on to power the boom when the electric system is drawn down to 20 percent.

The truck touts a 315-horsepower diesel engine that runs in parallel with an Odyne electric system, providing up to 50 horsepower during acceleration. CDE Lightband officials estimate a fuel savings of approximately 30-50 percent.

The truck’s batteries are designed to run about eight hours and the crew simply plugs the truck in to a charging station at the truck dock before they go home in the evening.

The addition of the hybrid bucket to its fleet also enhances CDE Lightband’s commitment to its environmental management program. Last year CDE Lightband became a Clarksville-Montgomery County Green Certified business.

You can read more Work Truck magazine articles on hybrid bucket trucks here.