Johnson Controls to Receive 20 Transit Connect Electrics
OAK PARK, MI - Johnson Controls, Inc. will join AT&T and Xcel Energy as one of the first fleets to receive the all-electric version of the Ford Transit Connect van.
OAK PARK, MI - Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) will join AT&T and Xcel Energy as one of the first fleets to receive an exclusive supply of the 2010 Ford Transit Connect Electric vans, according to Azure Dynamics.
Azure Dynamics confirmed JCI will participate in the Ford Transit Connect Electric Lead customer program, receiving the first of a 20-vehicle order in December of this year. The remaining 19 vans are expected to be shipped in the spring and summer of 2011.
Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics CEO, said the company finalized an agreement Sept. 22 with Johnson Controls on its purchase of 20 Ford Transit Connect Electric vans for its corporate fleet. The announcement was made at Azure's headquarters in Oak Park, Mich., during an event with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, as well as Transit Connect Electric partner organizations, including Ford Motor. Co., Johnson Controls, and AM General.
Azure is providing its ForceDrive battery electric powertrain to replace the gasoline engine in the conventional Transit Connect model. The ForceDrive powertrain utilizes an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls-Saft, which makes Johnson Controls a partner and a customer, said Harrison.
"We are very excited about using the electric Transit Connect in our fleet," said Christy Coyte, corporate global fleet manager for JCI. "These vehicles will have an environmental impact by reducing 130 metric tons of CO2e, which is the equivalent of 14,790 gallons of fuel. This is an overall CO2e reduction of 61 percent and helps us meet our fleet sustainability goals."
Johnson Controls is ranked No. 39 on the 2010 Top 300 Commercial Fleets listing.
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