Utility recognized for supporting green vehicle technologies

At a news conference at Wisconsin’s State Capitol on Wednesday, September 9th, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle recognized Plymouth Utilities’ newest line truck, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), as an example of the types of green vehicles that will advance clean energy goals in Wisconsin.

Plymouth Utilities’ PHEV line truck served as the backdrop for the Governor Doyle’s announcement that Wisconsin has received $15 million in Recovery Act funds to help local governments and private businesses invest in alternative fleet and advanced technology vehicles. The truck has an $81,000 PHEV option mounted on a standard line utility body and dieselengine truck chassis. The PHEV option consists of additional batteries and controls which will allow the operation of the truck’s boom, lights and other equipment on the job site with the diesel engine shut off. At the end of the day, the truck’s batteries will be plugged into an electric power source and recharged overnight.

The truck was built by DUECO in Waukesha, Wisconsin, at a cost of $314,388 and was delivered to Plymouth on July 30th. The manufacturer estimates the fuel savings could amount to over $10,000 per year. Thus, the payback in fuel savings could offset the cost of the PHEV option in about eight years.

The PHEV batteries are lead-acid absorbed glass mat batteries and have a capacity of 35 kilowatts. The manufacturer expects the batteries will last up to 10 years. The lead-acid absorbed glass mat technology is the latest step in the evolution of lead-acid batteries.

Although Plymouth Utilities will probably not be receiving any of the Clean Energy Funding announced by Governor Doyle towards the purchase of it’s PHEV truck, the utility has received a $15,000 grant from WPPI Energy’s Electric Vehicle Incentive Program. “WPPI Energy congratulates Plymouth Utilities on its leadership efforts to support the state’s energy goals,” said WPPI Energy President and CEO Roy Thilly. “Alternative fuel and advanced technology represents yet another step in the right direction for Wisconsin’s future in terms of energy independence.”