Consumers Energy Debuts All-Electric Bucket Truck, Serving Customers with Zero-Emissions Vehicle

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy has introduced its first all-electric bucket truck in Grand Rapids, Michigan, marking a significant step in the company's commitment to electric vehicle transformation. The zero-emissions vehicle, built by International Motors with an Altec boom, can travel up to 135 miles on a full charge and is powered by a fast charger at the company's Grand Rapids service center.

The truck will be operated by a specially trained team to provide reliable energy services to customers, supporting the company's Reliability Roadmap plan to reduce power outages. Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest energy provider serving 6.8 million residents across 68 Lower Peninsula counties, also offers support for EV adoption through its PowerMIDrive and PowerMIFleet programs, providing rebates for home and public charging and helping businesses electrify their fleets.

Positive

• Introduction of zero-emissions vehicle demonstrates operational innovation and environmental commitment
• Supports company's Reliability Roadmap plan to reduce power outages
• Expands EV infrastructure through PowerMIDrive and PowerMIFleet programs

Negative

• range of 135 miles per charge may restrict operational efficiency
• Requires specialized training for staff, potentially increasing operational costs

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Showing that electric vehicles come in all shapes and sizes to meet people's needs, Consumers Energy is now serving customers with the company's first all-electric bucket truck.

The truck will perform work in Grand Rapids to provide customers with reliable energy, and it represents yet another step in Consumers Energy's commitment to powering Michigan's EV transformation.

"We continue to see more EVs take to the road in Michigan, and it's interesting to see how they arrive in different forms, from heavy-duty vehicles to school buses, to meet all sorts of needs," said Lauren Snyder, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer experience. "We want to provide an example to our customers who are making their own choices about buying EVs."

VIDEO: See Consumers Energy's all-electric bucket truck

The new bucket truck will soon be hitting the road in Grand Rapids and will be staffed by a specially trained team. Built by International Motors and equipped with an Altec boom, the truck is powered by a fast charger at Consumers Energy's Grand Rapids service center and can travel up to 135 miles when fully charged.

Chris Laird, Consumers Energy's vice president of electric operations, said he's excited to see the bucket truck improve electric service to customers. The company's Reliability Roadmap is a plan to reduce the number and length of power outages.

"We're excited to see this vehicle help our customers who count on us for reliable, dependable energy," Laird said. "Our traditional mission to serve customers isn't changing, but we are changing the way we do that work. In this case, that means powering a durable vehicle with zero-emissions energy."

Consumers Energy provides solutions that support Michigan's EV drivers, including rebates for home and public charging through its PowerMIDrive program and a companion program, PowerMIFleet, that helps businesses electrify their fleets.

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy  
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SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

What is the range of Consumers Energy's new electric bucket truck?

The all-electric bucket truck can travel up to 135 miles when fully charged, powered by a fast charger at the Grand Rapids service center.

How many customers does Consumers Energy serve in Michigan?

Consumers Energy serves 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents across all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

What EV support programs does Consumers Energy offer?

The company offers PowerMIDrive for home and public charging rebates, and PowerMIFleet to help businesses electrify their vehicle fleets.

Where will Consumers Energy's electric bucket truck be deployed?

The electric bucket truck will be operating in Grand Rapids, Michigan, staffed by a specially trained team.