Telecommunications giant AT&T has committed $565 million to add 15,000 alternative fuel trucks, vans and cars to its fleet by 2019. AT&T plans to add 8,000 CNG-powered vans with $350 million and used $215 million to replace 7,000 company cars and trucks with hybrids. The company already unleashed 105 hybrids and CNG vehicles in 30 American cities last summer to get this program started. BAF Technologies of Dallas, Texas is helping AT&T with the next step in its alternative fuel conversion by converting 600 AT&T vans to CNG power.
The centerpiece of the AT&T CNG conversion project at BAF Technologies is the company’s CalComp fuel management system. BAF Technologies has received certification from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its CalComp technology. The CalComp system is connected to a reprogrammed engine computer that allows monitoring of CNG fuel levels. BAF Technologies connects each CalComp unit to the 5.4-liter, V8 Triton engine used in AT&T’s Ford E-Series vans. The company’s mechanics have replaced gas tanks with CNG tanks, regulators and injectors to ensure even distribution of fuel.
BAF Technologies has added multiple components to its CalComp design to achieve emissions and fuel consumption reductions. The sequential fuel injection is optimized to maximize CNG reserves as well as squeeze out as much power from the V8 engine. BAF Technologies ensures that the CalComp system is friendly to all manners of engine diagnostics tools to facilitate easy maintenance. The tech firm is also cognizant of the integration of CNG drive systems with OEM parts as they convert AT&T utility vans.
As BAF Technologies begins to deliver retrofitted E-Series vans to AT&T, we will see the benefits of corporate investments in alternative fuel vehicles. AT&T and its partners estimate that the fleet conversion will reduce gasoline consumption by 49 million gallons of gas by 2019. BAF Technologies researchers determined that the CalComp fuel management system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% compared to traditional van emissions. The AT&T conversion project at BAF Technology is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of potential economic impact with the Center for Automotive Research estimating an additional 1,000 jobs may be created due to the company’s fleet conversion.
