Xcel becomes first US utility to use electric cherry pickers for line repairs

American utility company Xcel Energy has become the first energy company in the United States to add all-electric bucket trucks – or “cherry pickers” – to its fleet of vehicles.

Xcel Energy, which services customers in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin, announced on Monday that it was introducing its first all-electric bucket truck to its fleet in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Optima 55-foot all-electric bucket truck is being delivered by Terex Utilities and features an electric chassis from Navistar.

Xcel Energy is the first of nine North American utilities who have ordered one of these all-electric “cherry pickers” – which includes Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Con Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric – with the first 10 units to be delivered through the rest of the year.

“We’re proud to be the first energy company in the United States to add all-electric bucket trucks to our fleet,” said Bob Frenzel, chairman, president, and CEO of Xcel Energy.

“By adding these clean energy vehicles to our fleet, Xcel Energy is demonstrating its commitment to leading the clean energy transition by becoming a net-zero energy provider for all our customers’ energy needs – electricity, heating and transportation, while also helping shape the electrification of the truck industry, which complements our overall vision to provide 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050.”

Xcel Energy was one of the first energy companies in the United States to develop a plan to electrify all its light-duty vehicles and 30% of its medium- and heavy-duty fleet by 2030. This plan supports the company’s larger vision of powering 1.5 million electric vehicles by 2030.

Xcel Energy crews will use the new all-electric cherry picker in real working conditions during a six- to 12-month pilot, providing feedback to help ensure further development. However, there’s a long way to go for Xcel Energry, who has 1,000 bucket trucks in its fleet.