National Clean Fleets Partner: Verizon
In 2010, Verizon operated 370 of its vehicles to run on biofuels. It also purchased compressed natural gas vans and hybrid pick-ups and sedans. By the end of 2011, within a fleet of more than 30,000 domestic telecom vehicles, Verizon operated more than 2,500 alternative energy vehicles.
Fast Facts
- Joined the National Clean Fleets Partnership: April 2011
- Headquarters: New York, NY
- Operations: All 50 U.S. states
- Strategies and Technologies: Biofuels, compressed natural gas, hybrids, electric vehicles
Verizon's MAGIC Bus Is Green
Verizon is working with vehicle manufacturer VIA Motors to develop an extended-range electric cargo van to achieve 100 miles per gallon with zero tailpipe emissions.
More Information
Clean Fleets News
Jan. 15, 2013
Verizon and VIA Motors unveil eco-friendly, extended-range electric cargo vans
DETROIT – To address the need for more eco-friendly fleet vehicles, Verizon has collaborated with electric-vehicle developer and manufacturer VIA Motors to produce an extended-range electric cargo van. VIA developed and built the van, based on Verizon's direction and fleet concepts, and expects it to achieve 100 miles per gallon with zero tailpipe emissions. Verizon will test and deploy two of the vans in New Jersey and New York.
Bob Lutz—an auto industry executive and father of the Chevy Volt, General Motors' electric car—unveiled Verizon's new vehicle on January 14, 2013, at the North American International Auto Show. "By demonstrating that going green can also be good business, large fleets like Verizon's can have a significant influence on the direction of the auto industry and help accelerate the adoption of clean vehicles like VIA's electric work vans," said Lutz, former vice chairman of General Motors and a VIA board member.
Ken Jack, vice president of fleet operations for Verizon, said, "We believe the challenges businesses face in operating sustainable fleets require an ecosystem of innovation. Our collaboration focused on developing a more environmentally friendly cargo van, as cargo vans are widely used by large U.S. fleets and account for more than 30% of Verizon's fleet. Electrifying these work vehicles could have a significant impact on a nationwide reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions."
Because the average total miles per day traveled by Verizon's fleet is low, the company expects the new vans to operate entirely under electric power most days; doing so would reduce CO2 emissions annually by approximately 2.4 metric tons and reduce the use of petroleum fuel by about 750 gallons.
Verizon also will provide technological capabilities, through its acquisition of Hughes Telematics, including fuel and route optimization, vehicle maintenance and diagnostics, emergency assistance, and voice and data services.