PASADENA, CA--(Marketwire - September 20, 2010) - CALSTART today announced the official launch of a new working group to advance clean vehicle development in the telecommunications industry. CALSTART has joined with this powerful industry to create the Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) Telecommunications Working Group. Operated by CALSTART under contract to the U.S. Army, HTUF was founded by CALSTART and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center's National Automotive Center (NAC). The new working group will present initial findings at the 10th Anniversary HTUF National Conference in Dearborn, Michigan.
HTUF's goals are to:
- Launch and expand the commercial market for medium- and heavy-duty hybrid vehicles
- Assist military and commercial users to identify common performance needs and concerns to spur dual-use capabilities
- Speed the introduction of next-generation, high-efficiency technology and systems into the medium- and heavy-duty market.
AT&T and Verizon are the founding members and co-chairs of the new CALSTART HTUF Telecommunications Working Group. CALSTART has set aggressive goals for advancing clean technology.
Three of the five largest motor vehicle fleets in the country are operated in the Telecommunications Industry.
The group's focus is on pursuing more fuel efficient, cleaner options for Class 2-4 medium-duty vehicles. Although per-vehicle fuel consumption is low, the aggregate volume of usage within these vehicles equates to a potential for substantial fuel savings. With the objective of increasing clean truck technology options for the entire industry, this cooperative Telecom Working Group is one of several initiatives being undertaken by both AT&T and Verizon to make their fleets, and their entire operations, cleaner and greener.
"The HTUF Telecommunications Working Group represents an important opportunity to signal demand for clean fuel vehicles that have strong environmental benefits and that can help reduce our country's dependence on foreign oil," said Jerome Webber, Vice President of Fleet Operations for AT&T. "We embrace the chance to combine resources and develop solutions that can have an impact on future generations of Americans."
"Verizon is committed to greening our operations, and will continue to seek opportunities to increase the number of alternative fuel vehicles in our fleet," said James Gowen, vice president of supply chain operations and chief sustainability officer for Verizon. "We are pleased CALSTART has brought their expertise to the endeavor, enabling us to work collaboratively to help the industry advance its efforts to produce low-emission vehicles for the telecommunications industry."
At the 10th Anniversary National HTUF Conference in Dearborn September 28-30, the Telecom Working Group intends to present initial findings on fleet composition and vehicle parameters. Other initial activities will include defining the vehicle duty cycle, establishing platform requirements, developing key performance parameters, and delivering a concise message to multiple vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). The longer range plan involves setting requirements and committing to a new vehicle solicitation late this calendar year.
CALSTART is serving as coordinator and leader, ensuring everyone has a say in the process, and allowing each participant to protect proprietary information while still providing meaningful guidance to the vehicle OEMs. CALSTART has many years of experience in this approach, and has demonstrated success in delivering user-focused vehicles to the marketplace.
The Telecom Working Group is recruiting additional members in the industry. "We urge all in our industry to join us in creating a new Telecom Work Truck, which will not only serve our entire industry, but will directly help each of us save money and reduce emissions in our fleet operations," said Gowen. "Our combined input and volume will make the best solutions possible. The opportunity to act is now, and together we can drive change," said Webber.
About CALSTART
CALSTART is the only organization that works to accelerate the growth of the entire clean transportation technology industry. CALSTART has more than 140 member companies representing a broad array of clean vehicles, fuels, and technologies. CALSTART provides services and consulting help to spur advanced transportation technologies, fuels, systems and the companies that make them. With its headquarters in Pasadena, CALSTART has offices in Richmond, California and Denver, Colorado. For more information visit: www.calstart.org.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
MK Campbell
626/744-5602