AT&T has today (19 November) unveiled a medium-duty truck as the latest alternative-fuel vehicle addition to its California fleet.
The Ford F-450 truck, that is used to elevate a worker to the height of a telephone pole, has been converted to compressed natural gas (CNG) and contains a hybrid-electric system to power the aerial device.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The vehicle is part of almost 1,600 alternative fuel vehicles that have had been placed into service for the company throughout California – a move that on average is anticipated to save 3,500 tons of CO2 emissions per year and reduce annual consumption of traditional gasoline by more than 1m gallons.
AT&T began deploying fleet vehicles with hybrid and CNG technology in 2008 as part of an overall commitment to minimise its environmental impact and explore renewable energy alternatives.
AT&T plans to spend up to US$565m in a ten-year initiative to deploy around 15,000 fleet vehicles nationwide with alternative-fuel models through 2018.
“California continues to lead the way in adoption of clean technology,” said Ken McNeely, president, AT&T California. It’s a classic case of ‘build it and they will come,’ which is precisely what we’re doing.”
AT&T has deployed more than 2,700 hybrid and CNG vehicles nationwide – with nearly 60% in California. Overall, the company expects to purchase up to 8,000 CNG vehicles through 2013, at an anticipated cost of up to US$350m.
