The Official Blog for Penske Truck Leasing, Truck Rental and Logistics

Regulatory requirements, customer demands and global sustainability initiatives are all driving increased demand for low- and zero-emission transportation solutions. Several technologies are already in use today, and even more are on the horizon.

Here are five trends affecting the future of carbon emissions.

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A recent check-in with a group of senior economists revealed that on the U.S. domestic front, the next several quarters will likely experience slow economic growth. Recession or not, the outlook isn’t for a high-octane economy.

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Penske Transportation Solutions is a member of this year’s Green Supply Chain Partner list that has been released by Inbound Logistics magazine. According to the publication’s editorial team, Penske is among the 75 honorees that “walk the walk” regarding its supply chain sustainability efforts.

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Penske Truck Leasing is adding its first electric truck from REE Automotive Ltd., an automotive technology company and provider of full by-wire electric trucks and platforms. Penske intends to employ the software-driven P7-C EV to interested customers.

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Penske Transportation Solutionsand ForeFront Power have formed a new joint venture named Penske Energy LLC. The new venture aims to help commercial fleet operators plan, design, and deploy optimized EV charging infrastructure capabilities that support and safeguard their operations.

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Now in its fifth year, the State of Sustainable Fleets 2024 Market Brief sheds light on an industry meeting the moment of an active transition. It was released today on day one of the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Las Vegas, and is available to download at no cost by clicking here. It was created by clean technology consulting firm, GNA, a TRC company. Penske Transportation Solutions, Volvo Trucks North America, and Chevron serve as title sponsors. Dana, Exelon, and S&P Global Mobility are supporting sponsors.

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Penske Transportation Solutions is taking part in this year’s Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Las Vegas. Billed as the largest advanced commercial vehicle technology show, the conference will be held from May 20-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where another year of record attendance is expected.

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Now in its fifth year, the State of Sustainable Fleets 2024 Market Brief sheds light on an industry meeting the moment of an active transition. It was released today on day one of the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Las Vegas, and is available to download at no cost by clicking here. It was created by clean technology consulting firm, GNA, a TRC company. Penske Transportation Solutions, Volvo Trucks North America, and Chevron serve as title sponsors. Dana, Exelon, and S&P Global Mobility are supporting sponsors.

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As an industry leader, we have a passion for progress. We are guided by a deep sense of responsibility to our customers, associates, and communities and are committed to continually challenging ourselves and our partners to exceed expectations.

Consistent with our core values, we focus on safe, responsible operations and delivering practical and sustainable solutions that reduce waste, emissions and preserve precious resources as we work toward the decarbonization of our industry.

We are committed to moving the world forward in a way that is good for people and our planet.

Vehicle Decarbonization

Penske E-Transit Cargo Van

We have been operating alternative fuel vehicles for more than 30 years, and now have one of the largest and most diverse electric vehicle test fleets in the industry. We are reducing the environmental impact of the Penske fleet in the following ways:


Check out Penske's electric fleet in action:

Sustainable Facilities

Penske is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our locations—from the way our buildings consume energy to the way we power our essential equipment. Here are just some of our strategies:

  • Building and operating North America’s first heavy-duty electric vehicle charging network
  • Increasing the amount of energy consumption from renewable sources verses non-renewable sources year over year
  • Growing our number of LEED-certified buildings featuring sustainable design, construction and operation
  • Identifying carbon mitigation actions at customer distribution centers managed by Penske
  • Implementing focused recycling initiatives across virtually all waste streams, including tires, oil, filters, antifreeze, batteries, scrap metals and more.
  • Using new water conservation technologies and practices in our vehicle washing operations
  • Utilizing lower VOC emission paint in our collision repair centers
  • Equipping consumer rental customers for more sustainable moves

Awards and Partnerships

Penske has participated in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership since 2008. We are a seven-time EPA SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Award winner, six-time EPA SmartWay Excellence Award winner, EPA SmartWay 2022 High Performer for the Logistics and Carrier categories.

As one of more than 1,300 partner organizations voluntarily using billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually, we proudly participate in and support the EPA's Green Power Partnership.

We are also a founding sponsor of the annual State of Sustainable Fleets Market Brief, a no-cost report that serves as the leading source of information on sustainable technology decisions being made by America’s on-road fleets.

Additional recognitions for sustainability efforts include:

  • US EPA – Clean Air Excellence Award
  • Food Logistics Magazine Top Green Provider
  • Supply and Demand Chain Executive Green Supply Chain Award
  • Inbound Logistics Magazines Green Supply Chain Partner

Access Related Reports

READING, Pa., October 30, 2023 – Penske Truck Leasing customer Balford Farms, a food distribution services and dairy products company headquartered in Burlington, New Jersey, is adding the first-ever electric truck to its fleet. The Orange EV yard tractor will support the company's warehouse and distribution center, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It will reduce Balford's carbon footprint by over 15 tons annually.

Balford’s environmental sustainability journey started over a decade ago with the installation of solar panels at their Burlington warehouse and distribution center.

“We’re thrilled about this opportunity to bring innovation into our truck fleet and expand upon our recent sustainability commitments and successes,” said Larry Walker, CEO of Balford Farms. “This new electric truck exemplifies our ongoing promise towards being an environmentally responsible leader in the food distribution industry while delivering efficiency and safety to our workplace, and the very best service to our customers.”

Balford specializes in providing warehousing and distribution services to quick service restaurant chains. Balford also markets and distributes their own Rosenberger’s dairy brand to customers throughout the Northeast U.S.

READING, Pa., October 26, 2023 – Penske Truck Leasing has added Xos, Inc. battery-electric trucks to its fleet. Penske will deploy the trucks with multiple customers in various industries. The Xos Stepvan is a Class 6 vehicle purpose-built for commercial applications.

"We are very pleased to build on our growing portfolio of all-electric vehicles with the addition of the Xos Stepvan,” said Paul Rosa, senior vice president of procurement and fleet planning for Penske Truck Leasing.

The Stepvan can travel up to 150 miles on a single charge, features a GVWR of up to 23,000 pounds, and comes in available body sizes of 16’ or 18’. Depending on charger specifications, the vehicle charge time with DC fast charging ranges from 110 to 120 minutes. Additional specifications include a 178-inch wheelbase, 347 kW maximum horsepower, and max torque of 1,737 ft-lbs.

“We’re proud to partner with Penske on their journey to a fully electric fleet operation,” said Dakota Semler, chief executive officer at Los Angeles-based Xos. “Penske and Xos share similar core values around our commitment to customers and a dedication to excellence, so our partnership is a natural fit. We look forward to building our relationship for years to come.”

Penske Truck Leasing customer Balford Farms, a food distribution services and dairy products company headquartered in Burlington, New Jersey, is adding the first-ever electric truck to its fleet. The Orange EV yard tractor will support the company's warehouse and distribution center, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It will reduce Balford's carbon footprint by over 15 tons annually.

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Penske Truck Leasing has added Xos, Inc. battery-electric trucks to its fleet. Penske will deploy the trucks with multiple customers in various industries. The Xos Stepvan is a Class 6 vehicle purpose-built for commercial applications.


“We are very pleased to build on our growing portfolio of all-electric vehicles with the addition of the Xos Stepvan,” said Paul Rosa, senior vice president of procurement and fleet planning for Penske Truck Leasing.

The Stepvan can travel up to 150 miles on a single charge, features a GVWR of up to 23,000 pounds, and comes in available body sizes of 16’ or 18’. Depending on charger specifications, the vehicle charge time with DC fast charging ranges from 110 to 120 minutes. Additional specifications include a 178-inch wheelbase, 347 kW maximum horsepower, and max torque of 1,737 ft-lbs.

“We’re proud to partner with Penske on their journey to a fully electric fleet operation,” said Dakota Semler, chief executive officer at Los Angeles-based Xos. “Penske and Xos share similar core values around our commitment to customers and a dedication to excellence, so our partnership is a natural fit. We look forward to building our relationship for years to come.”

By “Move Ahead” Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay program has named Penske Logistics a 2023 High Performer among mixed truck carriers in the carbon recognition category. Less than 10% of eligible fleets qualify for this designation.

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From plastic knickknacks to foam stress balls, conferences and trade shows are known for their freebies. Unfortunately, many of these items are often made from eco-unfriendly, single-use materials.

As a presenting sponsor of the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo — the world’s leading sustainable transportation conference — Penske devised a new, earth-conscious approach to conference giveaways.

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Penske Transportation Solutions was recognized in Los Angeles by the Climate Registry for its work with electric trucks. Penske was honored with an Innovative Partnership Certificate at the 2023 Climate Leadership Awards for being a part of the Freightliner Electric Innovation Fleet.

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As an industry leader, we have a passion for progress. We are guided by a deep sense of responsibility to our customers, associates, and communities and are committed to continually challenging ourselves and our partners to exceed expectations.

Consistent with our core values, we focus on safe, responsible operations and delivering practical and sustainable solutions that reduce waste, emissions and preserve precious resources as we work toward the decarbonization of our industry.

We are committed to moving the world forward in a way that is good for people and our planet.

Vehicle Decarbonization

Penske has been operating alternative fuel vehicles for more than 30 years, all the while investing in the maintenance, training and facilities necessary to support these vehicles. Penske is reducing the environmental impact of its fleet in the following ways:

  • Collaborating with original equipment manufacturers on the design and testing of electric vehicles
  • Operating one of the largest and most diverse electric vehicle test fleet in our industry
  • Maintaining a newer and more efficient fleet, ensuring vehicles feature the latest emissions reduction technologies
  • Assisting customers by spec’ing and operating vehicles to optimize fuel efficiency
  • Building and operating North America’s first heavy-duty electric vehicle charging network
  • Expanding our renewable diesel utilization
  • Optimizing routes and reducing empty miles

Sustainable Facilities

Penske is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our locations—from the way our buildings consume energy to the way we power our essential equipment. Here are some of the ways our ways our facilities support our commitment to sustainability:

  • Increasing renewable energy usage year over year through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates
  • Penske is increasing the Renewable Energy it purchases directly from suppliers
  • Pursuing LEED certification for new buildings, which includes criteria for environmentally sustainable building design, construction and operation
  • Utilizing lower VOC emission paint in our collision repair centers
  • Identifying carbon mitigation actions at customer distribution centers managed by Penske
  • Recycling virtually all streams, including several million gallons of oil and thousands of drums of used oil filters every year, as well as used antifreeze, parts washer solvent, spent batteries, scrap metal and scrap tires
  • Implementing new water conservation technologies and practices in our vehicle washing operations that consume approximately 60% less water than traditional fleet washing methods

Awards And Partnerships

penske electric truck

Penske has participated in the U.S. Environmental Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership since 2008. Penske is a seven-time EPA SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Award winner, six-time EPA SmartWay Excellence Award winner, EPA SmartWay 2022 High Performer for Logistics and Carrier categories.

Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics proudly participate in and support the EPA's Green Power Partnership. The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages businesses and communities to utilize renewable energy as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use. Penske is one of more than 1,300 partner organizations voluntarily using billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually.

Penske is also a founding sponsor of the annual State of Sustainable Fleets Market Brief, a no-cost report that serves as the leading source of information on sustainable technology decisions being made by America’s on-road fleets. The annual analysis gathers real-world data directly from early-adopter fleets across the U.S. to provide deep sector-specific insights into the adoption of battery-electric, natural gas, propane, and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, against a baseline of diesel and gasoline vehicles.

Other awards related to our sustainability efforts include:

  • US EPA – 2015 Clean Air Excellence Award
  • Food Logistics Magazine Top Green Provider – 2011 through 2021
  • Supply and Demand Chain Executive Green Supply Chain Award – 2013 through 2021
  • Inbound Logistics Magazines Green Supply Chain Partner – 2010 through 2022

Access Related Reports

In the fourth annual State of Sustainable Fleets Market Brief, commercial transportation fleets continue to report a resounding trend — their use of clean fuels and advanced vehicle technologies is rapidly accelerating.

Report author and leading clean technology consulting firm, Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA), unveiled the findings at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, California.

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Wesco International, a global distribution and supply chain services provider, is experiencing success with operating a pilot program with Ford E-Transit electric vehicles, provided by Penske Truck Leasing. The units are being used in three major markets as part of the company’s overall electrification and sustainability strategy. Wesco is leveraging these E-Transits in Atlanta, Orlando and Phoenix.

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