Enwin unveils electric bucket truck, other EVs as it prepares for future

Enwin says ten per cent of its vehicle fleet is now electric, with the addition of 12 new electric vehicles.  (Chris Ensing/CBC - image credit)
Enwin says ten per cent of its vehicle fleet is now electric, with the addition of 12 new electric vehicles. (Chris Ensing/CBC - image credit)

A new million-dollar fully electric bucket truck is the "centrepiece" of Enwin Utilities' bid to electrify its fleet, officials say.

Ten per cent of the electricity distributor's fleet is now electric, and the bucket truck unveiled Monday is one of the first in Canada.

"As an electric utility, I think it's important that we embrace it," said Gary Rossi, CEO of Enwin. "We know electrification is happening and I think it's important that when you look at where EVs are going, Windsor-Essex is the hub of electrification and electric vehicles.

"We're here to support that and show our community that support for other businesses out there."

Enwin president and CEO Gary Rossi said he doesn't believe ratepayers should have to pay for infrastructure upgrades to support for-profit EV charging stations.
Enwin president and CEO Gary Rossi said he doesn't believe ratepayers should have to pay for infrastructure upgrades to support for-profit EV charging stations.

Enwin president and CEO Gary Rossi said he doesn't believe ratepayers should have to pay for infrastructure upgrades to support for-profit EV charging stations. (Sanjay Maru/CBC)

The bucket truck is valued at nearly $1 million, but Rossi says that's comparable with similar internal combustion engine trucks. The truck gets about 300 kilometres on one charge, he added.

"It's very quiet — it allows our crews to communicate better, it's not as loud in the community when we're doing repairs in someone's back yard," Rossi said.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens applauded the move, saying that Enwin has long been a leading adopter of electric vehicles.

"They've started being an early adopter and continued to lead the change and the charge that we want to see happen in the community," he said. "Certainly today's a great milestone, adding 12 new electric vehicles to the fleet."

More Windsor drivers choosing EVs

Overall in Windsor-Essex, more than 3,000 electric vehicles are now registered — and Enwin says the grid is well-positioned to handle that additional load.

"Currently we have enough capacity in our distribution system to handle all the demands of people buying EVs right right now," said Jim Brown, Enwin's chief operating officer of hydro, noting that they expect to make changes to meet demand into the early- to mid-2030s.

Enwin's new electric bucket truck is the centrepiece of a bid to electrify its fleet. Ten per cent of the utility's vehicle fleet is now electric.
Enwin's new electric bucket truck is the centrepiece of a bid to electrify its fleet. Ten per cent of the utility's vehicle fleet is now electric.

Enwin's new electric bucket truck is the centrepiece of a bid to electrify its fleet. Ten per cent of the utility's vehicle fleet is now electric. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

The Canadian government has set a target of 100 per cent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035.

"It's almost like a hockey stick curve and we're on the on the on the blade right now," Brown said.

To other businesses and organizations with a fleet of vehicles, Rossi encouraged them to give electric vehicles a shot.

"Try it, because they will be different than what your current fleet is ... I think that's the first start, so that you can see how to adapt your business to that technology."