Verizon has acquired 576 Chevrolet Silverado Two-Mode Hybrid full-size pickups in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of its fleet vehicles, according to a company press release. According to the statement, the hybrid model will represent an improvement in fuel consumption of up to 40 percent, with an EPA estimated 21 MPG for city driving and 22 MPG for highway driving.
"A major part of our sustainability strategy is to make smart use of lower-carbon alternatives to power our fleet and the operation of our high-IQ broadband networks," said James Gowen, chief sustainability officer for Verizon. "By adding 1,600 alternative energy vehicles to our fleet this year we're conserving fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in communities across the country."
Verizon recently launched a comprehensive sustainability program that includes new initiatives and expands existing energy and recycling efforts to help reduce the company’s global carbon footprint.
In other transportation news, according to a study by Pike Research, sales of medium/heavy duty hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric trucks are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 63%, with sales of almost 300,000 vehicles, during the period from 2010 to 2015. Environmental Research reported that advanced diesel technology could reduce lower fuel consumption by up to 20 percent by 2020, and improved aerodynamics could deliver an 11 percent reduction in fuel use.
