Arizona Public Service Co. is going all-electric, a bit at a time.
The power company is swapping out its more than 2,100 cars, SUVs and trucks with electric vehicles over its replacement cycle. A specific completion date has not be specified.
ATVs and bucket trucks are also slated for replacement with electric alternatives over time and as technology permits.
“Just as we’ve worked to modernize our grid and provide cleaner energy, we are now modernizing our fleet to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Donna Easterly, vice president and chief procurement officer with APS. “The fleet will be more efficient and last longer, and our bucket trucks will operate more quietly which makes inspecting and repairing power lines safer for our linemen and less disruptive for our customers.”
Electric vehicles are helping APS reduce emissions and fuel costs. The company is purchasing less fuel for its vehicles, which are driven across the state in communities from the Grand Canyon to Yuma, Douglas to Gila Bend. Plug-in hybrid electric bucket trucks do not require engine idling to operate the lift and tools necessary for APS linemen to their jobs. Instead, these trucks use an on-demand electric motor, reducing engine hours.
Fewer engine hours don’t just mean less fuel, it also means fewer oil changes, fewer filters and less impact on the environment.
