Mirroring how quickly the infant electric vehicle (EV) market for trucks is advancing, a top builder of walk-in van (WIV) chassis has debuted a new model-specific truck body that carries its own “green” credentials. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) showcased its new body styling for its plug-in MT-EV all-electric WIV during National Odyssey Day at the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium’s (NAFTC) Odyssey Week. The new body, built by Morgan Olson, is made of lightweight, durable composites that are completely recyclable.
“FCCC’s all-electric WIV announcement was a perfect complement to the Odyssey Week 2010 Alternative Fuels Seminar,” said Andrew Epting, Clean Cities Grants Coordinator in the South Carolina Energy Office. “The FCCC chassis is representative of what companies can do to really reduce the amount of emissions in our communities.”
The event was held at Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research and sponsored by NAFTC, West Virginia University, and the Palmetto State Clean Fuels Coalition.
“FCCC was honored to present our groundbreaking all-electric chassis at the highly regarded Odyssey Day Alternative Fuels Seminar,” said Bob Harbin, president of FCCC. “At FCCC, we are committed to manufacturing sustainable products that help reduce harmful emissions and promote environmental responsibility. We’re pleased to have participated in Odyssey Day with esteemed companies that share in our sustainable values.”
FCCC also announced that its Zero Waste to Landfill program received the 2010 WasteWise Gold Achievement Award for Waste Reduction in the Workplace. The company was the first business within the trucking industry to achieve Zero Waste to Landfill status in the U.S.
“Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is proud to receive such prestigious award recognition,” said Harbin. “FCCC is committed to lessening our impact on the environment, and we are pleased that our company-wide commitment to environmental responsibility has been recognized on a national level by the EPA.”
Under the initiative to reach Zero Waste to Landfill status, which was achieved three months ahead of schedule in October 2009, FCCC eliminated 250,000 lbs. per month of solid waste in January 2007 from its Gaffney, SC, facility. The FCCC facility recycles materials such as plastic, paper, aluminum, cardboard, metals, wood and nylon.
In addition, FCCC said it has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 WasteWise Gold Achievement Award for Waste Reduction in the Workplace.
