Sunbelt orders 700 electric pick-ups

Ford will deliver the first of Sunbelt’s 700 electric trucks later this year. (Photo: Sunbelt/Ford)

Sunbelt Rentals in the US is expanding its electric vehicle fleet with the addition of 700 Ford F-150 Lightning trucks.

The on-road vehicles, which are due to be delivered in the summer, have a payload capacity of 1,000lb (450kg) and range of 230 miles on a fully charged battery.

Al Halvorsen, vice president of ESG at Sunbelt Rentals, said, “This investment highlights our strong commitment to reduce our GHG emissions through the adoption of new on-road fleet technology.

“Starting the conversion of our truck fleet to electric alternatives, like the Ford Lightning, is critical to our ability to reach our ambitious GHG reduction goals and still continue to serve our customers with availability, reliability and ease.”

The company also plans to install ‘Level 2’ wall-mount chargers at its employees homes, which will enable them to charge the Ford trucks overnight.

According to Sunbelt, the electric trucks will help it reduce its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by around 35% by 2030.

“Starting the conversion of our truck fleet to electric alternatives, like the Ford Lightning, is critical to our ability to reach our ambitious GHG reduction goals and still continue to serve our customers with availability, reliability and ease,” said Halvorsen.

Becoming a leading business in the area of Economic, Social and Governance is one of the key aspects of the company’s strategic ambitions.

It said, “Sunbelt Rentals is actively investing in new low- and zero-carbon technologies for both its on-road fleet and its stable of rental equipment. Making this investment not only supports Sunbelt Rentals vision, but it also helps its customers as they look toward their own ESG goals.”