Pedernales Electric crews in the Cedar Park District now have the added benefit of working with a hybrid bucket truck. The 2010 Kenworth T300 Hybrid Truck is the Cooperative’s first hybrid bucket truck and the newest addition to Cedar Park’s fleet. The truck runs on both diesel and battery power.

Cedar Park Construction Supervisor J.P. Faught attended a model demonstration of the hybrid bucket truck last year and was motivated to add a hybrid in his district.

“When it was time to retire and trade in an older bucket truck, there was a perfect opportunity to introduce a hybrid model,” said Faught. “It’s a really impressive truck, and there isn’t a dramatic difference from the trucks we are used to driving. It’s similar, but even better, because it’s a hybrid.”

The hybrid features will allow linemen to work on PEC lines while the truck runs on battery power, as opposed to running idle on diesel fuel. As a result, the hybrid truck is quieter and more fuel efficient, with lower greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are excited that we get to have this new hybrid technology in Cedar Park,” said District Manager John Houser. “We expect to save money, reduce our carbon footprint and be a leader in environmental stewardship all at the same time.”