AmeriPride Services announced plans to replace 20% of the fleet at its Vernon branch with electric delivery trucks equipped with Motiv Power Systems All-Electric Powertrains. Motiv has delivered the first of 10 zero-emission step vans. “AmeriPride is committed to the environment and the communities where we live and work,” said Bill Evans, president and CEO of AmeriPride. “As one of the biggest operators in our industry, we are setting the standard for clean operations and continue to make improvements to our delivery operations and invest resources to test and help advance new green technologies.”The company’s new delivery vehicles feature up to 20% gradeability, 80 miles of range and a 50% battery charge time of 2.5 hours. Installed by Morgan Olson on a Ford F59 Chassis, the walk-in step vans are the first Motiv-powered vehicles installed on a previously-used body, according to the company.“The F59 chassis from Ford is incredibly versatile and we're excited to demonstrate an all-electric option with these AmeriPride trucks,” said Jim Castelaz, founder and CEO of Motiv Power Systems. “It provides a good example to the regional delivery services community that there are real things a company can do to improve regional air quality and reduce fuel costs.”In addition to the F59 chassis, Motiv has upfit packages available for the Ford E450 and Crane Carrier COE2 Class 8 chassis. Configurations include all the components required to transform a chassis to zero-emission all-electric drive and are professionally installed to OEM standards at the time of the vehicle's manufacture.AmeriPride said it chose the Vernon market for this pilot based on route density and infrastructure, financial incentives and the region’s poor air quality. The purchase of the 10 all-electric walk-in vans was made possible through a grant from the California Energy Commission, the company added.“We are extremely excited to pilot the new electric delivery trucks at our facility,” said Annette Casemero, general manager of the Vernon branch. “Our first truck has been running daily routes since it was delivered in November and has been running great, with zero service incidents or calls needed. Adding electric vehicles to our fleet complements our expanding alternative fuel program and we look forward to adding additional electric vehicles to our fleet in the coming year.”Other initiatives the company said it is implementing at Vernon and other branches include propane, compressed natural gas and hybrid vehicles; trailer skirting and double-decker semitrailers; fuel-efficient sedans for the service team and the installation of telematics technology and route optimization software to reduce mileage and increase efficiency.
