SPRINGFIELD, IL – The City of Springfield, Ill., purchased four trucks equipped with the Terex Utilities’ HyPower Hybrid System. The purchase includes three Terex HRX55 Hi-Ranger overcenter material handling aerial devices and one Terex TL50 Hi-Ranger telescopic material handling aerial device, according to a release from the company.

The HRX55 units have been in service since June 2011, and have been used in electric distribution applications. The TL50 was recently delivered to Springfield and will be used in substation work. The new Terex HyPower trucks replace older units in the city’s fleet of utility trucks and are part of Springfield’s alternative energy initiative.

The Terex HyPower Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid PTO system which uses stored energy from the system’s rechargeable batteries to power the non-propulsion functions of the vehicle. The Terex system is designed to reduce, or even eliminate, the use of fuel for the work done while the vehicle is sitting still. By using plug-in electric hybrid technology to operate the boom and accessories, the Terex HyPower system reduces pollution produced from diesel fuel and eliminates the noise from an idling engine normally used to run the hydraulic system, according to the company.

The HyPower system recharges from the electrical grid using a standard 110V—15 AMP outlet. The system can be retrofitted onto existing vehicles and can be installed on other units when the vehicle is replaced.