Series: AUGUST 2020

When the job is to dig trenches, drill holes or dig in tight spaces, how can utility crews get more work done in less time at lower cost? That’s the question many heavy-equipment manufacturers ask themselves as they design and develop new digging machines and accessories. So, what new products have emerged within the past […]

For utility fleets committed to electrification, the holy grail is to electrify pickup trucks. That’s because pickups represent the largest vehicle segment for most fleets in the industry. So, if you can electrify a wide range of pickup applications, you’ll make a huge dent in your company’s sustainability efforts. The challenge is that high battery […]

Diesel has been the traditional engine for medium-duty utility trucks. But with Ford, GM, Isuzu and other OEMs recently launching new gas-powered models, utility fleet professionals have more options than ever to consider. Recent volatility in fuel prices has changed the equation as well. So, which is better – gas or diesel? The answer is, […]

With his crew focused on downtown Austin, Texas, and several substations, size was an important consideration for Bobby Dahl, network construction supervisor for community-owned Austin Energy, when selecting a new cable reel trailer. The new trailer upgraded outdated equipment, making work safer and more efficient. “We used to pull cable out with a one-ton truck […]

With fuel being one of the greatest expenses for any fleet organization, a fuel card program can be a helpful and efficient way to keep track of spending, usually at little or no cost to fleets. Recently, Utility Fleet Professional spoke with two fuel card experts who shared tips for what to look for in […]

Among the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is the impact it is having on utility fleet rightsizing efforts across the U.S. Traditionally, rightsizing is about understanding the values and measurements of the appropriate level of fleet utilization, according to Charles Guthro, vice president of global strategic services for ARI (www.arifleet.com). The fleet management services company […]

In February, as the novel coronavirus spread overseas and cases began to trickle into the U.S., Verizon Communications, as a company, started grappling with how the pandemic might impact its operations. “Before the media and most people were talking about what you should do, we’re thinking, ‘How would we operate? How do we keep our […]