Printable VersionAT&T Becomes Lead Customer for Ford Transit Connect Electric Vehicle is powered by Azure Dynamics Force Drive electric drivetrain
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
St. Louis, Mo., March 9, 2010
- Azure Dynamics Corporation today announced
AT&T has agreed to purchase two of the
first Ford Transit Connect Electric vans, the
latest addition to AT&T's growing fleet of
alternative-fuel vehicles.
The Ford Transit Connect Electric
-- the all-electric version of the 2010 Ford
Transit Connect, the North American Truck of
the Year -- will be powered by Azure Dynamics'
patented Force Drive(TM) electric drivetrain
with an advanced lithium-ion battery from
Johnson Controls-Saft. The vehicle, which
goes on sale later this year, has a range
of up to 80 miles on a single charge and will
be rechargeable using either 240-volt or
standard 120-volt outlets. It has a top
speed of 75 miles per
hour.
"Cleaner, alternative-fuel
vehicles are the future of our corporate fleet,
and the Transit Connect Electric represents a
real breakthrough and will be a strong addition
to our range of alternative-fuel vehicles,"
said Jerome Webber, vice president of fleet
operations at AT&T. "It's exactly the
kind of vehicle we envisioned when we mapped
our long-term vision to invest up to $565
million to deploy more than 15,000
alternative-fuel vehicles through 2018."
AT&T currently operates more than 77,000
vehicles in its corporate fleet, including 15
gasoline-powered Ford Transit Connect vehicles
AT&T began piloting in
2009.
Scott T. Harrison, CEO of
Azure Dynamics, said the Transit Connect
Electric project is in line with his company's
mission.
"Our business is built on
great technology, committed partners and
customers who want to improve efficiency while
reducing their environmental footprint,"
Harrison said. "The Transit Connect
Electric brings all of those elements together
in a single package and is exactly on target
with our goal at Azure of 'driving a world of
difference.'"
According to
Harrison, commercial vehicles are ideal
candidates for electrification due to typical
duty cycle characteristics like predictable
drive routes and a return to a central location
each night for recharging. The zero
tailpipe emission Ford Transit Connect Electric
also will help protect air quality in the urban
environments where it
operates.
By
combining car-like driving dynamics with
truck-like cargo capacity, Ford Transit Connect
Electric is well-suited to the demands placed
on urban delivery vehicles for small businesses
and larger, corporate fleets.
The Transit Connect Electric is
expected to offer lower cost of operation
because recharging with electricity is
generally less expensive than refueling with
gasoline. Additionally, customers will
benefit from lower maintenance costs as the
electric drive train has far fewer moving parts
to maintain.
"Ford
Transit Connect was first introduced in the
U.S. last year as a new fuel efficient
alternative to larger commercial
vehicles. Adding the electric option
addresses a growing demand from our customers
for sustainable vehicles for their fleets,"
said Gerry Koss, Ford fleet marketing
manager. "This Transit Connect Electric
represents the first in a family of electrified
vehicles, including new hybrids, plug-in
hybrids and all battery electric vehicles,
which Ford will deliver over the next three
years."
AT&T plans to take
delivery of the Transit Connect Electric in
late 2010.
About Azure
Dynamics
Azure Dynamics
Corporation (TSX: AZD & OTC: AZDDF) is a
world leader in the development and production
of hybrid electric and electric components and
powertrain systems for commercial vehicles.
Azure is strategically targeting the commercial
delivery vehicle and shuttle bus markets and is
currently working internationally with various
partners and customers. The Company is
committed to providing customers and partners
with innovative, cost-efficient, and
environmentally-friendly energy management
solutions. For more information please
visit www.azuredynamics.com.
About Ford
Motor Company
Ford Motor Company,
a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes
automobiles across six continents. With about
198,000 employees and about 90 plants
worldwide, the company's automotive brands
include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The
company provides financial services through
Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information
regarding Ford's products, please visit
www.ford.com.
About
AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE®magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.