This year, NiSource is taking yet another huge step toward our 2040 Net Zero Goal for greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by adding 15 new Ford F-150 Lightning trucks to our fleet. Four of the 15 trucks will be used by the Advanced Leak Detection department with the Picarro Surveyors and the remaining 11 will be reserved for day-to-day driving in Indiana – with a long-term goal of determining potential opportunities for expansion across NiSource.
“The Picarro program is identifying large leaks where we can lower our carbon footprint,” said Aaron Boeke, Director of Asset Knowledge Management. “The key principle is being able to operate a unit that has zero emissions. We want to find our largest emitters, so we have a net positive effect.”
The Ford F-150 Lightning is an all-electric truck with an estimated battery range of about 240 miles. According to the Ford website, the truck will charge from 15 to 100 percent in just 10 hours with a Ford Charge Station Pro. Plus, without an engine, the 14.1-cubic-foot front trunk, or “frunk,” gives our operations crews more secure storage space. NiSource drivers are on the road all day, every day, and by switching to electric, we eliminate the environmental impact from gasoline-fueled vehicles.
The Ford F-150 Lightning doesn’t just check boxes in lowering emissions and saving money – it’s also well-equipped to tackle any terrain drivers might encounter and can support the Picarro system retrofit. In other words, every day, the Lightnings detect emissions from natural gas – and create zero emissions while they do it.
The Ford F-150 Lightning trucks will help NiSource reduce emissions in alignment with our Your Energy, Your Future strategy. NiSource team members and their trucks are always on the go and switching from gasoline to electric means huge emissions reduction. The unveiling of these vehicles in the field and with the Picarro team is our core value to Look for a Better Way in action.
“We looked at how we could electrify our fleet as a company, and the intent behind that is two-fold. The first is from an emissions standpoint, trying to reduce our overall carbon footprint,” said Vice President of Operational Support Steve Sylvester. “And, there are potential cost savings on top of that from a gasoline standpoint, which can ultimately be passed along to customers.”
Bringing electric trucks to the NiSource fleet offers potential cost savings and is a big step toward our 2040 Net Zero Goal.
“This is an opportunity for us to use proven technology to support existing goals," Aaron added.
Click here to read more about NiSource’s 2040 Net Zero Goal.