Distributed Energy Resources, Industrial  -  October 6, 2022

Union Pacific Adds EVs  

Union Pacific is reaching the railroad’s sustainability goals by adding dozens of electric vehicles to its systemwide fleet. 

Over the next six months, 67 electric vehicles – 50 Ford Lightning pickups and 17 Ford Mustang Mach-Es – will be delivered to select field locations across the railroad’s 23-state network, according to InsideTrack, the company’s blog post.

Growing its zero-emission vehicle fleet helps move Union Pacific closer to one of its Climate Action Plan goals: reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 26% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline, on a path to net zero emissions by 2050.

“Testing electric vehicles in Union Pacific’s rail yards is another great step forward in our sustainability journey,” said Wes Hutcherson, general director-Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain. “In conjunction with other projects, like our battery-electric locomotive fleet, these new vehicles will help further reduce emissions across our operations.”

Union Pacific began adding electric vehicles to its fleet in 2020 when eight Chevrolet Bolts were procured for use in North Platte, Nebraska; Los Angeles and Roseville, California; Dallas and Houston, Texas; and Chicago. The vehicles were primarily used for customer site visits and administrative purposes.

Operating employees will test using the new, larger Ford Lightning trucks for rail yard maintenance and other field tasks.

The railroad also is working with EV charging vendor SemaConnect to install charging stations in seven locations over the next year, including North Platte, Nebraska; Long Beach and Roseville, California; North Little Rock, Arkansas; and Houston, Texas.

Read These Related Articles:

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• Union Pacific Sets 2050 Goals
• Union Pacific Issues Green Bonds 
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• Union Pacific posts energy consumption decline

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