SoCalGas Advances Towards Zero-Emissions Fleet with Delivery of New Ford Electric Vans

LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) added Ford E-Transit electric vans into its fleet, as part of its ASPIRE 2045 sustainability strategy, working towards its goals to replace 50% of its over-the-road fleet with alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) by 2025 and operate a 100% zero-emissions fleet by 2035. The introduction of 21 new Ford E-Transit vans represents a milestone for SoCalGas as the first battery electric vehicles to be integrated into the company's fleet.

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At the close of 2023, 38% of SoCalGas’ over-the-road fleet was powered by low- and zero-emissions energy sources.

"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."

At the close of 2023, 38% of SoCalGas' over-the-road fleet was powered by low- and zero-emissions energy sources. SoCalGas' current over-the-road fleet vehicles include 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 to help support California's climate goals. SoCalGas and Ford are developing a hydrogen fuel cell F-550 prototype with the Department of Energy (DOE) and, in 2025, plan to demonstrate its performance in real-world conditions in an effort 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 being 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 a 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. SoCalGas recently added EV charging stations at its 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 a leader among utilities in its sustainability goals and was among the first and largest natural gas distribution utilities in the United States to announce its aim to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2045. SoCalGas was recognized with the Leading Private Fleet Award at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in 2022 acknowledging the company's efforts to go above and beyond what is required 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 approximately 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. SoCalGas' mission is to build the cleanest, safest, most innovative energy infrastructure company in America. SoCalGas aims to deliver affordable, reliable, and increasingly renewable gas service through its pipelines to help advance California's clean energy transition by supporting energy system reliability and resiliency and enabling the integration of renewable resources. SoCalGas is a recognized leader in its industry and community, as demonstrated by being 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. For more information, visit SoCalGas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on social media @SoCalGas.