Odyne, Dueco make first plug-in hybrid aerial lift truck

Hauppauge, N.Y.-based Odyne (OTC: ODYC) and Waukesha, Wis.'s Dueco today announced the first plug-in hybrid aerial lift truck, also known as a cherry picker or bucket truck.

The two companies introduced the hybrid diesel vehicle at the International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition in Louisville, Ky.

"Until now, aerial lift trucks which are used equipped with a bucket for workmen to access the tops of telephone and electric polls, required power from an idling engine to operate in the field for a full work day or to run the air conditioning," said Alan Tannenbaum, CEO of Odyne.

Odyne said its battery management system can power the bucket for up to eight hours of aerial lift operation time.

Thomas Dalum, president of Dueco, said this truck "will help the nation's utilities conserve energy, limit fuel emissions and further advance plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology."

Odyne and Dueco said the truck can recharge at off hours using low cost electricity from the electric grid, and can also be recharged at any point with the conventional diesel engine.

Odyne said the truck has a 255 horsepower engine, with an on board 5 kilowatt charger. In addition to the bucket lift time, the company said the propulsion system requires an eight hour charge time.