American Electric Power has ordered its largest number of hybrid trucks to date – 18 International DuraStar Hybrid diesel trucks.

The addition brings the total number of hybrid utility trucks in AEP’s fleet to 22 – giving it the largest fleet of diesel hybrid utility trucks in the country, according to the company. Still, it represents a relatively small fraction of the 1,500 International trucks in its fleet.

The Hybrid Truck Users Forum estimates that 1,000-1,500 gallons of fuel can be saved per utility truck annually. At today’s high diesel prices, that equates to a savings of $4,000-$6,000 in fuel per truck annually. It also results in annual greenhouse gas reductions of 11 to 16.5 tons of carbon dioxide per unit. AEP expects to save $72,000-$108,000 in fuel costs and eliminate 200 to 300 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over a one-year period with this order of 18 trucks.

New EPA standards and $100-a-barrel oil are creating demand for hybrid big rigs, garbage trucks and dump trucks, even with the 35 percent premium over conventional vehicles