With a goal to electrify 100% of its light-duty fleet by 2030, Alliant Energy is committed to making real change, and here’s how Monroe Truck Equipment is helping them get there.
Alliant has been partnering with Monroe’s Commercial Division to upfit their fleet vehicles with a variety of upfits for their field technicians to utilize on the jobsite. These upfits can range from something like a pickup with a topper and a pull-out drawer, a utility van with shelving and covered storage, or a service vehicle with lockable storage and a ladder rack.
Starting in 2023, Alliant has added more EVs to this year’s 2024 fleet. The majority of the new fleet consists of Chevrolet Silverado’s EV 1500. Although switching to all-electric vehicles is a solution and innovation all by itself, it isn’t without its challenges. “One of the biggest problems we faced with these builds was finding suppliers to make accessories that will fit these vehicles,” said Monroe Regional Outside Sales Manager Brandon Farnsworth, who works closely with Alliant on their fleet. “Since they have not been out in the marketplace long, we had to hunt for someone that was making aftermarket parts for them.”
Parts that Monroe hunted down and even helped engineer to fit included toppers, tonneau covers, and mudflaps, among others. As EVs become more commonplace and more in-demand, aftermarket parts availability will naturally follow.
Despite the challenges of this changing transportation world, both Alliant and Monroe are happy to push forward in their industries and make change happen. It’s a bright future out there!