Lower fuel costs and reduce emissions with hybrid equipment
Hybrid equipment: why more contractors are making the switch
Lower fuel costs, reduced emissions, and jobsite flexibility – hybrid machines are here to stay
Every year, we head to the ARA Show looking for equipment that could add value to our rental fleet. This year, one trend stood out above the others: hybrid equipment.
After seeing the latest machines in action, we decided to add several hybrids to our fleet including aerial lifts, generators, and power packs. The reason was simple – hybrid equipment strikes the right balance between performance, sustainability, and operating costs.
Contractors are under more pressure than ever to cut costs and reduce emissions at the same time, often on the same jobsites. The right equipment has to do both. Electric equipment remains the best choice if you’ve got big sustainability goals or operate in indoor applications. But it isn’t the right solution for every job. Charging infrastructure can be limited, and some applications demand more power that electric can provide. Hybrid equipment bridges the gap by delivering the operational benefits of electric, without the challenges.
If you’ve been considering hybrid equipment for your rental fleet, now may be the time. The technology is here, the performance is proven, and the benefits are hard to ignore. Here’s what we’ve seen in practice:
Operational efficiency without compromise
Performance and productivity are non-negotiables – and hybrid equipment delivers both. By switching between diesel and electric power, hybrids optimize energy based on the task at hand. The result is efficient operation without sacrificing performance.
Our hybrid boom lifts are a clear example. In electric mode, they run a full day on a single charge. When switched to hybrid mode, a single tank of diesel powers an entire week of runtime, reducing interruptions, and keeping crews productive.
Hybrid equipment can also recharge their batteries through the onboard diesel engine, eliminating dependence on external charging infrastructure and no costly downtime waiting for a charge.
Fewer emissions, less noise
Reducing emissions doesn’t have to mean sacrificing output. When in electric mode, our hybrid boom lifts produce zero emissions and zero fuel costs. And our hybrid generators can actively manage diesel rather than running at full throttle, cutting emissions and fuel spend.
Noise reduction is another major advantage and one that’s easy to overlook…until you need it.
We recently added hybrid power packs to our fleet and the feedback has been immediate – customers are using them to charge tools, lighting, and general site power. Virtually silent when running, they’re now the go-to for projects near residential areas, hospitals, schools, and overnight work zones where conventional diesel generators aren’t an option.
Fuel savings that add up
Fuel is one of the most controllable costs on a jobsite. Even small improvements can translate into big savings over the life of a project.
While electric equipment eliminates fuel costs altogether, higher rental rates and charging requirements can affect the overall cost equation depending on the project.
Hybrid equipment offers a middle ground by reducing fuel consumption as much as 30% compared to traditional diesel machines.
It’s a straightforward improvement to your bottom line, with no operational overhaul required.
One rental, multiple applications
Hybrid equipment can easily transition between outdoor and indoor applications, adapting to changing site conditions throughout a project.
It’s a level of flexibility that reduces the need for equipment swaps, additional rentals, and reduces the transportation costs and delays that come as a result. One rental, multiple applications, and fewer interruptions.
For teams juggling tight timelines and budgets, it’s the kind of versatility that can make a real difference on the jobsite.
Hybrid equipment is delivering real benefits
Pressure to reduce emissions is growing, but most jobsites aren’t yet equipped to support a fully electric fleet.
Hybrid equipment fills that gap – reducing fuel consumption and emissions without compromising reliability, productivity, or flexibility. Add quieter operation into the mix, and it’s clear why hybrids are becoming a standard part of well-run fleets.
Whether you’re looking to control costs on your next projects, meet new emissions requirements, or simply maintain productivity – hybrid equipment is worth a closer look.
Not sure which hybrid is right for your jobsite? Talk to our team; we’ll help you match the equipment to the work.