John Bistritz, Altec

By Seth Skydel

“ Electric utilities are facing more demand for energy to power vehicle electrification and communications and information technology initiatives,” Bistritz said. For telecoms, challenges include deploying fiber networks, rolling out 5G wireless communications systems and providing rural broadband capabilities.

“ Electric utilities are also facing the need to upgrade and support their infrastructure,” Bistritz continued.“ Grid reliability expectations are higher while they’ re encountering a much higher frequency of more severe weather events that impact service.” All that activity, Bistritz noted, means utility and telecom fleets need more vehicles and equipment that is more productive and efficient. In addition, with fewer people entering the workforce, they are facing a

The Altec AC65E-155S dual rated telescopic boom truck crane is designed to improve operational productivity by offering material handling capacity as well as personnel lifting capabilities.

shortage of personnel who are interested in doing this vital work.

An equipment issue facing utility and telecom fleets, and one that will impact capital budgets, is the desire for more environmentally friendly vehicles to support sustainability initiatives while manufacturers also work to address regulations.

“ The Advanced Clean Truck mandate that requires medium- and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of zeroemission vehicles has already been adopted by five states and is expected to become law in others,” Bistritz said.“ Then there are the upcoming 2027 EPA( Environmental Protection Agency) emissions standards. Both initiatives will most certainly drive up

John Bistritz, regional vice president at Altec.

the price of new vehicles.”

Bistritz also noted that environmental regulations led to prebuy activity for 2025 models among utilities and telecoms last year. He added that the expectation is that

22 l March-April 2025