The Future of Bucket Trucks: Electrification is the Way Forward

Bucket trucks are an aerial work platform (AWP) used to access high places. Various industries use them, including electrical utilities, telecom companies, construction companies, tree care companies, and government agencies.

Traditionally, bucket trucks have been powered by diesel or gasoline engines. However, the future of bucket trucks is electric. Electric bucket trucks offer several advantages over traditional gasoline or diesel-powered bucket trucks, including:

• They are more environmentally friendly, producing zero emissions.
• They are quieter, making them ideal for use in urban areas and residential neighborhoods.
• They are more efficient, requiring less energy to operate.
• They require less maintenance, leading to lower operating costs.

However, there is currently a shortage of fully electric bucket trucks. Moreover, they are expensive due to the high cost of batteries, and they often offer a limited driving range.

In the meantime, a good interim solution for businesses that need to reduce their environmental impact and improve the safety of their operations is to use electric PTOs. Electric PTOs are power take-offs powered by an electric battery instead of a gasoline or diesel engine. E-PTOs can be retrofitted onto existing bucket trucks, making them a cost-effective way to electrify bucket truck operations.

Here are some of the benefits of using E-PTO for bucket trucks:

• Reduced emissions: E-PTOs do not produce any emissions, which can help to improve air quality.
• Reduced noise: E-PTOs are much quieter than traditional PTOs, which can help to create a more peaceful work environment.
• Increased efficiency: E-PTOs are more efficient than traditional PTOs, which can help to save businesses money on fuel costs.
• Reduced maintenance: E-PTOs require less maintenance than traditional PTOs, which can save businesses money on repair costs.
• Improved safety: E-PTOs are less likely to cause fires than traditional PTOs, which can help to improve safety on the job site.

As the cost of batteries continues to decline and the range of electric vehicles continues to increase, we can expect to see more fully electric bucket trucks on the market in the coming years. However, for businesses that need to electrify their bucket truck operations now, electric PTOs offer a good immediate solution.

In addition to electrification, other trends that are shaping the future of bucket trucks include:

• Automation and robotics: Automation and robotics are being used to improve the safety and efficiency of bucket trucks. For example, some bucket trucks now have automated systems that can help workers to avoid obstacles and safely reach their work areas.
• The development of more lightweight and fuel-efficient bucket trucks: Bucket trucks are becoming lighter and more fuel-efficient as manufacturers find ways to reduce the truck’s and engine’s weight. This makes bucket trucks more affordable to operate and reduces their environmental impact.
• The increased use of telematics: Telematics is the use of technology to monitor and track equipment performance. Telematics systems can be used to track the location of bucket trucks, the hours they are in use, and the fuel they are using. This information can improve the efficiency and safety of bucket truck operations.

These are just a few of the trends that are shaping the future of bucket trucks. As technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and efficient bucket trucks in the future.