SoCalGas Boosts Zero-Emissions Fleet with New Electric Vans

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has taken a significant step towards its zero-emissions future by integrating Ford E-Transit electric vans into its fleet. This move aligns with the company’s ASPIRE 2045 sustainability strategy, which aims to replace 50% of its over-the-road fleet with alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) by 2025 and achieve a 100% zero-emissions fleet by 2035. The addition of 21 new Ford E-Transit vans marks a milestone as the first battery electric vehicles in SoCalGas’ fleet.

Key Highlights

  • Integration of 21 Ford E-Transit Electric Vans: Marks the first battery electric vehicles in SoCalGas’ fleet.
  • ASPIRE 2045 Sustainability Strategy: Aims to replace 50% of the fleet with AFVs by 2025 and achieve a 100% zero-emissions fleet by 2035.
  • Current Fleet Composition: 38% of the over-the-road fleet is powered by low- and zero-emissions energy sources.
  • Collaboration with Automakers: SoCalGas and Ford are developing a hydrogen fuel cell F-550 prototype with the DOE.
  • EV Charging Infrastructure: Installation of EV chargers powered by renewable electricity under the Southern California Edison’s Green Rate program.

“The addition of Ford’s E-Transit electric vans to our fleet represents a significant achievement in SoCalGas’ advancement toward a zero-emissions future,” said Sandra Hrna, vice president, supply chain and operations support at SoCalGas. “By investing in technologies powered by electricity, hydrogen or renewable natural gas, we are advancing our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and accelerate decarbonization in a sector that has historically been a major contributor to GHG emissions.”

As of the end of 2023, 38% of SoCalGas’ over-the-road fleet was powered by low- and zero-emissions energy sources. This includes 700 RNG Ford F-250 service pickup trucks and 50 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEV).

“I applaud SoCalGas on its efforts to accelerate the transition of its truck fleet to zero-emissions,” said Wayne Nastri, South Coast Air Quality Management District executive officer. “These trucks reduce smog-forming emissions making it easier for us to breathe and they also reduce greenhouse gas emissions thereby helping our climate.”

SoCalGas aims to advance sustainable transportation solutions and actively collaborates with automakers to develop innovative low- and zero-emissions options. The company and Ford are working on a hydrogen fuel cell F-550 prototype with the Department of Energy (DOE), planning to demonstrate its performance in real-world conditions by 2025 to help reduce GHG and nitrogen oxide emissions in medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Ford’s light-duty electric vans have a range of up to 126 miles and are used by employees to service SoCalGas’ industrial and commercial customers.

“E-Transit is a great solution for companies to reduce carbon emissions while lowering fleet costs associated with fuel and maintenance,” said Ted Haladyna, Ford Pro director of product marketing. “When low- and zero-emission vehicles are supported with the right infrastructure it can be a win-win for business and the planet. Testing new technology with customers early in the development process, like we are doing with SoCalGas on F-550 Super Duty Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Truck, is another example of how our work together will bring the alternative fuel industry forward.”

To support its zero-emissions fleet, SoCalGas is installing EV chargers throughout its territory powered almost exclusively by renewable electricity under Southern California Edison’s Green Rate program. Recently, EV charging stations were added at the company’s Compton, Brea, and Newberry Spring locations, with plans to extend the network to 1,500 chargers across 65 facility sites over the next two years.

SoCalGas is recognized as a leader among utilities in sustainability goals, being one of the first and largest natural gas distribution utilities in the United States to aim for net-zero GHG emissions by 2045. The company received the Leading Private Fleet Award at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in 2022, acknowledging its efforts to achieve sustainability in fleet operations.

Learn more about SoCalGas’s sustainability efforts at socalgas.com/sustainability.

About SoCalGas

SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States, serving approximately 21 million consumers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. The company’s mission is to build the cleanest, safest, and most innovative energy infrastructure in America. SoCalGas is dedicated to delivering affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service to advance California’s clean energy transition, support energy system reliability and resiliency, and enable the integration of renewable resources. Recognized as a leader in its industry and community, SoCalGas was named one of Reuters’ Top 100 Innovators Leading the Global Energy Transition and Corporate Member of the Year by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), a leading North American energy infrastructure company.

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