Electric truck to supercharge storm recovery

Published Friday, 14 May, 2021 at 03:55 PM

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement
The Honourable Mick de Brenni

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni checks out Queensland's first fully electric bucket truck with Energex Area Manager Trevor King and Fleet Manager Sonia Gollschewski at the Brisbane Truck Show.
Energy Minister Mick de Brenni checks out Queensland's first fully electric bucket truck with Energex Area Manager Trevor King and Fleet Manager Sonia Gollschewski at the Brisbane Truck Show.

Queensland’s storm recovery and network maintenance has been supercharged with Energex taking delivery of the state’s first fully electric bucket truck.

The 15.5 tonne Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) debuted at the Brisbane Truck Show this week and will be based at Energex’s Stafford depot.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said the MEWP will almost silently service 150,000 homes and businesses in Brisbane’s north.

“Our Energex crews work around the clock to keep Queenslanders safe and connected and are some of the first on the frontline when storms strike,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The arrival of the MEWP puts them on the forefront of technology in the heavy transport space, with this electric motor producing up to 2,500nm of torque.

“A 138kWh battery pack sits where fuel and air tanks traditionally would, saving around 30 tonnes of diesel emissions each year.

“With more Queenslanders getting behind the wheel of electric cars, heavy transport is the next logical step in our efforts to decarbonise.”

Energex CEO Rod Duke said the new addition to the company’s fleet is an exciting insight into the future of EVs in Queensland.

“While we’ve had electric and hybrid cars in the fleet for many years, this truck is the first of its kind for us and we’re looking forward to putting it through its paces,” Mr Duke said.

“It’s a real game-changer for our emergency response in a number of ways and has a range of 200km once fully charged, which will obviously have benefits in terms of reduced carbon emissions.

“Additionally, significantly reduced noise levels make the crew’s essential work activity less intrusive for the community, particularly in times of storm and emergency response, which often occur at night.”

Footage of the EV MEWP can be found here. 

 

ENDS

Media contact: Ben Brew 0468 839 551