Verizon to Cut CO2 Emissions by Converting 501 New Ford E-Series Vans to Run on Natural Gas

DEARBORN, Mich., June 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

• Verizon will save 1.62 metric tons of CO2 a year by adding 501 Ford E-250 cargo vans upfitted with clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG) engine packages versus conventional gas models

• Verizon purchased the CNG Ford E-250 vans as part of a company-wide sustainability effort to conserve energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to improved air quality

• The CNG Ford E-250 vans will be used in key Verizon markets throughout the country primarily by technicians who install and repair communications systems for homes and businesses

• CNG is an abundant and renewable source of energy; it also is cleaner and cheaper than gasoline or diesel fuel. Ford is the only manufacturer to offer 100 percent of its fleet vehicles this year with fuel-efficient powertrains and other sustainable technologies, making the Blue Oval the industry's greenest full-line provider

• Sales of Ford's E-Series van (Econoline/Club Wagon) were up 34 percent in May versus a year ago

Verizon, a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services, expects to save 1.62 metric tons of CO2 each year by adding 501 Ford E-250 cargo vans upfitted with clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG) engine packages versus conventional gas models.

Verizon's purchase and upfitting of the 2010 Ford E-250 vans is part of the company's comprehensive sustainability effort designed to conserve energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to improved air quality in the communities it serves, according to Ken McKenney, Sustainable Fleet-Technical Engineering Lead for Verizon.

"Verizon's fleet team is constantly on the watch for new, lower-carbon technology," McKenney said. "CNG is a leading alternative fuel choice right now, so converting these cargo vans to run on the cleaner-burning fuel helps us cut CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. We will continue to find ways to increase the efficiency of our fleet."

Ford E-Series CNG vans help Verizon get the job done

Cargo vans represent the single largest group of vehicles in Verizon's vehicle fleet. They are primarily used by technicians who install and maintain phones and FiOS TV and Internet services for homes and businesses. The CNG-equipped Ford E-250 vans will be used in key Verizon markets throughout the country that have retail infrastructures in place for fueling.

The vehicles are being converted to CNG by BAF, a wholly owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp.

"Verizon's deployment of natural gas-fueled vehicles sets a powerful example for fleet operators across America to emulate," said John Bacon, president of BAF. "Use of natural gas for fleets is a trend that is rapidly gaining momentum in many U.S. industry sectors. Because it is abundant and renewable, and cleaner and cheaper than gasoline or diesel fuel, natural gas can carry us forward to a sustainable future."

The BAF CNG vehicle upfits for Verizon will be completed at Steelweld Equipment Company in Hemet, Calif., and Temple, Texas, and at North American Equipment Upfitters in Hooksett, N.H. Both Steelweld and North American Equipment Upfitters are women-owned businesses and participants in Verizon's Supplier Diversity program. Verizon purchased the vans from Ukiah Ford in Ukiah, Calif., a minority-owned business.

Ford E-Series CNG vans enhance Verizon's sustainability program

Verizon's sustainability program is multifaceted. In addition to replacing more than 1,100 traditional fuel vehicles with cleaner, lower-carbon alternatives and increasing its use of biodiesel and flex-fuel (E85) to power 470 vehicles, Verizon employees have been reducing CO2 emissions by cutting engine idle times. Since 2008, drivers of Verizon vehicles have conserved more than 2.7 million gallons of fuel, the equivalent amount of greenhouse gases emitted by about 4,580 vehicles annually.

Ford: Industry leader in fleet sales

Ford, the industry leader in commercial and government fleet sales, saw sales of its E-Series van (Econoline/Club Wagon) in May increase 34 percent over a year ago. Meanwhile, Ford is the only manufacturer to offer 100 percent of its fleet vehicles this year with fuel-efficient powertrains and other sustainable technologies – including battery-electric, hybrid, natural gas, propane, E85, biodiesel and EcoBoost™ – making the Blue Oval the industry's greenest full-line fleet provider.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 176,000 employees and about 80 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010, and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 93 million customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 217,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company