Government Fleet Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Heavy-Duty Bucket Truck Operating Costs Increasing

This utility fleet benchmarking study from Utilimarc looks at heavy-duty bucket truck trends including average purchase price by year, operating costs, average miles driven, MPG, maintenance, and average age.

by Staff
September 28, 2015
Heavy-Duty Bucket Truck Operating Costs Increasing

 

3 min to read


The graphs below are derived from the data of over 50 of Utlimarc's utility and municipal fleet benchmarking clients and its active heavy-duty bucket trucks. The sample included over 23,600 vehicles between 33,000 and 55,000 GVWR, which all use alternative or diesel fuel. 

The data being used is representing the patterns Utilimarc has seen from the industry average of the selected sample, including average purchase price by year, operating costs, average miles driven, MPG, maintenance, and average age. 

This graph below shows the average purchase price of heavy-duty bucket trucks over the past 9 years. The overall trend is that the average purchase price is increasing.

From 2006 to 2014, the average purchase price for the heavy-duty bucket truck increased from $134,360 to $194,278, which is an increase of 44.6%.


Average Purchase Price by Year

Graphs courtesy of Utimarc

Operating Costs (Without Fuel) Per Mile

This graph shows the operating cost (all parts and labor) net of fuel per mile for the heavy-duty bucket trucks by age, broken down to boom and cab & chassis. The overall trend is that the operating cost per mile is increasing for both the boom and the cab & chassis.

The overall operating cost for the heavy-duty bucket truck in year one was $0.70 per mile, while in year ten it was $1.91 per mile, an increase of $1.21 or 173% over the 10 years. The average operating cost per mile for the heavy-duty bucket truck over the same 10-year period was $1.38.

Average Miles Driven by Year

This graph shows the average miles driven from 2010 to 2014 for the heavy-duty bucket truck. The annual average miles driven between 2009 and 2014 varied, with the most miles driven in 2011, 9,610, and the least miles driven in 2013, 9,029. The average miles driven from 2010-2014 is 9,283.

Average Miles Per Gallon by Year

This graph shows the average miles per gallon (MPG) from 2010 to 2014 for the heavy-duty bucket truck. The annual average miles per gallon (MPG) between 2010 and 2014 varied, with the highest MPG 2011, 5.47, and the lowest MPG in 2010, 5.0. The average miles per gallon (MPG) from 2010-2014 is 5.18.

Average Number of Days Between Unscheduled/Demand Repair by Year

This graph shows the average number of days between an unscheduled/demand repair event from 2010-2014 for the heavy-duty bucket truck

From 2010-2014 the heavy-duty bucket truck started at the peak in 2010 at 19.5 days between service, then dropped down to the lowest amount of days in 2011 at 11, and steadily increased in amount of days between an unscheduled/demand repair through 2014. The heavy-duty bucket truck historically has an average of 17 days between unscheduled/demand repair event.

Average Number of Days Between Scheduled/Preventive Maintenance by Year

This graph shows the average number of days between an scheduled/preventive maintenance event from 2010-2014 for the heavy-duty bucket truck

From 2010-2014 the heavy-duty bucket truck peaked in 2013 at 53.6 days between preventive maintenance , and saw the lowest amount of days in 2011 at 20.9. The heavy-duty bucket trick historically has an average of 47 days between a scheduled/preventive maintenance event.

Average Age Since 2010

This graph shows the average age of the heavy-duty bucket truck from 2010-2014. The average age has increased since 2010, starting at 7 and ending at 7.96 years of age in 2014. The year with the highest average age for the heavy-duty bucket truck was 2013, at 8.07, and the average age from 2010-2014 was 7.65.

More Information

To learn more about the data provided here or how the Utilimarc’s fleet solutions can answer your questions about fleet best practices, vehicle lifecycle cost, or mechanic staffing, go to www.utilimarc.com/demo to request more information, or call 952-955-8804 today.

More Operations

freightliner whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 26, 2026

Safety by Design: Power and Protection in the Freightliner 114SD Plus

Safety and productivity go hand-in-hand on today’s vocational jobsites. The Freightliner 114SD Plus combines advanced driver-assist technologies with proven reliability to keep crews moving constantly from start to finish. Learn how safety by design can protect your team, reduce risk, and maximize uptime.

Read More →
Isuzu commercial box truck driving in an urban area, representing a new body program with Aebi Schmidt that provides preconfigured, work-ready trucks for fleet customers.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseMarch 24, 2026

Isuzu Launches New Premium Body Program with Aebi Schmidt called Advantic

Isuzu and Aebi Schmidt launched a new body program that offers dealers preconfigured, work-ready trucks to streamline upfitting and reduce delivery times.

Read More →
A Samsara report cover titled 'The Exoneration Factor: How Dash Cams Reduce Risk and Deliver Clear ROI for the U.S. Public Sector,' featuring a close-up photo of a dash cam mounted on a vehicle windshield with a driver reflected in the rearview mirror and a desert road visible in the background.
SponsoredMarch 24, 2026

How Dash Cams Reduce Risk and Deliver Clear ROI for the U.S. Public Sector

For government agencies, dash cams have moved from a nice-to-have to a necessity—not just for public safety, but also for operational efficiency and cost savings. Download the full report today for insights from fellow public sector leaders on how dash cams are reducing risk, lowering premiums, and delivering clear ROI.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
paper people in pink and blue holding up signs
Operationsby Jeanny RoaMarch 23, 2026

2026 Government Fleet Salary Study: Pay Holds Strong as Workforce Pressures Mount

Government fleet managers report steady salary growth and expanding responsibilities, but an aging workforce, technician shortages, and rising technology demands are creating new long-term challenges.

Read More →
hall of fame logo with award
Operationsby Staff WriterMarch 17, 2026

Last Chance: 2026 Public Fleet Hall of Fame Nominations Close Today

Do you know a fleet leader who has made a lasting impact on the industry? Nominate this fleet professional for the 2026 Public Fleet Hall of Fame.

Read More →
The text 'the future of fleet' with an image of an autonomous car on the road and the GF logo.
OperationsMarch 14, 2026

How to Prepare Government Fleets for Autonomous Vehicle Deployment

As more fleet operators have their heads turned by AV technology, the conversation shifts from possibility to operational reality. Government and public-sector fleets need to begin preparing today to ensure they’re ready for an autonomous future. 

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Checklist with text 'cheat sheet' and female technician.
OperationsMarch 13, 2026

Autonomous Vehicles, Women in Fleet & Last Call for Entries | GovCast Shorts

On the go and want a snapshot of our top industry news? Check out Government Fleet's new video short of what's been happening.

Read More →
image showing several awards with the Government Fleet logo.
Operationsby Nichole OsinskiMarch 13, 2026

Last Day to Apply: Government Fleet Awards

Submissions for most awards close Friday, March 13; review award categories, confirm eligibility and requirements, and wrap up your entry before the deadline.

Read More →
Women working in technician roles and another woman leading a team.
OperationsMarch 3, 2026

Women in Fleet: Leadership, Innovation, and Industry Evolution

Fleet leadership has moved beyond the shop floor into a role shaped by higher expectations and constant change, and women have helped drive that evolution. But how has that shift happened, and what does effective leadership look like in operations today?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredMarch 1, 2026

3 Ways Fleet Tech Builds Public Trust

Managing a state or local fleet comes with levels of accountability private companies don’t have. Read how modern fleet technology helps elevate visibility and safety to strengthen community trust.

Read More →