AT&T Will Spend $565M to Green its Vehicle Fleet

AT&T pledged to spend $565 million to replace its current vehicle fleet with models that run on alternative fuels, the Detroit Free Press reports. The firm will buy over 15,000 hybrid and natural-gas-powered cars, mainly from Ford. AT&T billed the move as not only environmentally responsible but also as an act of economic stimulus—it estimates the move will save or create 1,000 jobs the next 5 years.

“This investment is a first step on our part to help boost other industries while at the same time encouraging wider use and production of efficient vehicles and domestic fuel alternatives,” AT&T’s CEO said. The firm will also lobby for creation of natural-gas fueling stations in the states where it operates to service the new fleet. (More Ford stories.)