20 Percent of Delivery Fleet at Vernon, California Facility to be Replaced by Electric Trucks
VERNON, Calif. — AmeriPride Services, a leading textile rental services and supply company in North America, today announced plans to replace 20 percent of the fleet at its Vernonbranch with electric delivery trucks equipped with Motiv Power Systems All-Electric Powertrains. Motiv has delivered the first of ten zero-emission step vans as a part of AmeriPride’s continuing mission to reduce its carbon footprint and be the industry leader in environmental sustainability. Area business leaders and government officials have been invited to an open house at AmeriPride’s Vernon location on February 18that 2pm to learn about the new vehicle in person and even take a ride.
“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 percent gradeability, 80 miles of range and a 50 percent 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.
“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 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 ten all-electric walk-in vans was made possible through a grant from the California Energy Commission.
“We are extremely excited to pilot the new electric delivery trucks at our facility,” said Annette Casemero, GM 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 is implementing at Vernon and other branches include propane, compressed natural gas and hybrid vehicles; trailer skirting and double-decker semi trailers; fuel efficient sedans for the service team and the installation of telematics technology and route optimization software to reduce mileage and increase efficiency. More details on AmeriPride’s efforts can be found in the company’s Corporate Responsibility Report that outlines many key initiatives it is sponsoring across the company.
AmeriPride has received recognition for its sustainability efforts, including TRSA’s ‘Clean Green’ Award, Heavy Duty Trucking’s ‘Top 50 Green Fleets’ Award, Fleet Technology Expo’s ‘Top Tier Light and Medium Duty Efficient Fleet’ Award, and ‘Sacramento Sustainable Business of the Year’ for Transportation and Air Quality by the Business and Environmental Resource Center (BERC), as well as recognition from Sacramento Area Sustainable Business, the City and County of Sacramento, the California State Senate and the US Congress. In addition, the Vernon facility received recognition from L.A. County for full compliance with wastewater discharge requirements and zero violations, and has remained in full compliance for more than five consecutive years.
The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain was named one of Popular Science’s Best of What’s New technologies and has been successfully used in school buses, shuttle buses, delivery trucks, maintenance trucks and North America’s only all-electric refuse truck in the City of Chicago.
For more details about the open house on Thursday, February 18, please contact info@motivps.com.
About Motiv Power Systems
Founded in 2009 and based in Foster City, CA, Motiv Power Systems designs and builds flexible and scalable All-Electric Powertrains for commercial medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Motiv partners with existing truck builders who manufacture electric versions of their traditional fossil-fueled vehicles on their current assembly lines using the Motiv All-Electric Powertrain. Common vehicle types from these builders include work, delivery and refuse trucks, as well as school and shuttle buses. The Motiv All-Electric Powertrain is installed at the time of vehicle manufacture, similar to a natural gas or propane upfit. For more information and career opportunities, please visit motivtrucks.com and follow us on Twitter @motivps, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About AmeriPride
Headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., AmeriPride Services is recognized as one of the largest textile rental and supply companies in North America. Operating more than 115 production facilities and service centers throughout the United States and Canada, the company provides linen and towels, uniforms, floor mats, restroom and cleaning products to nearly 150,000 customers through rental and purchase programs. As a true business partner, AmeriPride helps customers improve their image while keeping facilities clean and employees safe. Innovation, personalized service and a dedication to company values has sustained the private, family-owned company for more than 125 years. AmeriPride’s demonstrated commitment to customers, the community, employees and the environment has made them the People You Can Count On. Additional company information can be found at www.ameripride.com.
