Puget Sound Energy has added 40 new Ford Transit utility vans equipped with a hybrid electric drive system from XL.

PSE selected XL's fleet electrification technology for its 40 Ford Transit utility vans, an upgrade that is expected to reduce each van's carbon footprint by up to 20% and increase fuel economy by as much as 25%.

The utility worked with XL to upfit each van with an electric motor and advanced lithium-ion battery pack, as well as the XL Link connected vehicle system.

The XL Link software provides intelligence from PSE's vehicle data, allowing the company to monitor metrics such as fuel economy, speed, idle time, vehicle drive cycles, and CO2 emission reductions.

“We know our customers value the environment, so we were excited for the opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint through our fleet vehicles,” said Wayne Gould, director of corporate shared services at Puget Sound Energy. “This is another step for PSE to invest in the development of cleaner alternatives and technologies.”

XL's system allows PSE vans to save fuel through regenerative breaking, a process by which the XL electric motor helps slow the van when the driver brakes, while simultaneously charging the battery. The energy stored in the battery is then used to help power the vehicle when the driver accelerates.

“Utilities and energy organizations across the country are increasingly adopting the latest green fleet technologies to further their missions for energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction,” said Clay Siegert, chief operating officer of XL. “Puget Sound Energy’s fleet initiative was a natural fit for XL’s unique electrification solution, which is ideal for improving fuel economy in stop-and-go driving conditions, increasing driver efficiency, reducing brake and engine wear, and meeting long-term sustainability goals.”

The upgrade is part of PSE’s broader vehicle electrification plan to upfit an additional 20 fleet vehicles from petroleum to XL gasoline-electric hybrid systems this year. All 60 of the converted vehicles will have the potential of reducing PSE’s CO2 emissions by about 1.3 million pounds annually, supporting the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2040.

The new vans will be on display at the Green Transportation Summit and Expo in Tacoma, Washington.