Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has incorporated Ford E-Transit electric vans into its fleet as part of its ASPIRE 2045 sustainability strategy. The company aims 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.

Introducing 21 new Ford E-Transit vans is a significant milestone for SoCalGas, marking the first integration of battery-electric vehicles into the company's fleet.

"Adding 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."

By the end of 2023, 38% of SoCalGas' over-the-road fleet was powered by low- and zero-emissions energy sources. The fleet comprises 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 is working on advancing sustainable transportation solutions and is collaborating 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). In 2025, they plan to demonstrate its performance in real-world conditions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and nitrogen oxide emissions in medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Additionally, Ford's light-duty electric vans have a range of up to 126 miles and are currently 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 businesses and the planet. Testing new technology with customers early in the development process, like we are doing with SoCalGas on the F-550 Super Duty Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Truck, is another example of how our work together will bring the alternative fuel industry forward."

SoCalGas is installing EV chargers throughout its territory powered almost exclusively by renewable electricity under Southern California Edison's Green Rate program to support a zero-emissions fleet. SoCalGas recently added EV charging stations at its Compton, Brea, and Newberry Spring locations and plans to extend the network to 1,500 chargers across 65 facility sites over the next two years.