Talk about a 'green machine.'
Communications services giant Verizon unveiled five new hybrid-engine trucks Friday that will be deployed on Long Island as part of the company's efforts to promote environmentalism.
"Let's grow responsibly," said Jim Gowen, Verizon chief sustainability officer, during the event. "That's what Verizon is focused on."
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The unveiling of the hybrid-engine "bucket trucks," as they are known, was held at the company's Long Island headquarters on Zeckendorf Boulevard in Garden City and is part of the plan to operate about 250 alternative energy vehicles in New York by the end of 2010, according to the company.
Company executives say that hybrid-engine trucks are better for the earth because they use a battery that enables less guzzling of gas, are quieter and are generally more efficient than their vehicular predecessors.
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Since the hybrids are turned off when a technician is working at a site, the extensive idling and subsequent emissions that have occurred with non-hybrid vehicles is decreased. Once the hybrid vehicle is stopped, the bucket portion uses electricity rather than gas to operate—another efficiency. There is also less noise emitted from such green vehicles, say executives, a boon for neighbors.
Sen. Brian Foley also spoke at today's event of the importance of having "a greener approach to how we do business" and commended Verizon for taking a leadership role in the sector.
While the company did not reveal the specific costs of the hybrid trucks, Gowen says the return on investment and economics is "getting better and better."
In fact, with the long-term business prospects, sustainability is the hot topic and way of the future, say Verizon executives. Such a move toward hybrid vehicles and greener choices makes sense on both the bottom line and environmentally friendly sides of the equation, says company spokesman John Bonomo.
"When you look at totality—environment and business—it's almost a no- brainer," he says of the decision to roll out hybrids.
