Ferguson Announces Collaboration with Ford to Explore Alternative Fuel Sources for a More Sustainable Transportation Future in Commercial Fleets

Rhea-AI Summary

Ferguson (NYSE: FERG) has partnered with Ford to pilot a F550 Fuel Cell Prototype Chassis Work Truck for six months as part of its sustainability initiative. This collaboration aims to address industry challenges like battery range and payload capacity. Ferguson will provide real-world usage data to Ford, enhancing fuel cell technology for commercial vehicles. Additionally, the program aligns with Ferguson's strategy to reduce Scope 1 emissions and complements its earlier initiative to introduce 30 all-electric delivery trucks in California.

Positive

• Partnership with Ford to pilot a fuel cell work truck to improve sustainability.
• Data gathered will inform future developments in fuel cell technology.
• Supports Ferguson's commitment to reducing Scope 1 emissions.
• Complementary to previous initiatives involving all-electric delivery trucks.

Negative

• None.

Data Used to Support Solutions for Ongoing Industry Challenges, Such as Battery Range and Payload
Capacity, to Enable Faster Conversion to Environmentally Friendly Options

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Sept. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferguson Enterprises, LLC (NYSE: FERG) (LSE: FERG) today announced a collaboration with Ford Motor Company to place a first-of-its-kind F550 Fuel Cell Prototype Chassis Work Truck in service within Ferguson's daily fleet operations for six months. Participation in Ford's F550 Fuel Cell Prototype Work Truck, a DOE SuperTruck 3 Initiative, complements Ferguson's overall sustainability strategy to reduce a sizable proportion of Scope 1 emissions from its fleet.

This pilot program aims to evaluate how fuel cell technology will operate within the Ferguson fleet while providing real-world usage data to Ford. Ferguson will provide Ford with vehicle data and feedback about the technology to help Ford better define the engineering requirements for commercial vehicle duty cycles. This data will be used to address ongoing industry challenges within the medium-duty and heavy-duty segments, like battery range and payload capacity, that have prevented faster conversion to environmentally friendlier options. As part of this collaboration, Ferguson will also prepare a location in Charlotte, NC for the installation of temporary infrastructure equipment for the duration of the pilot.

"We are taking a proactive approach to meeting the challenge for a more sustainable future, recognizing the critical role fuel-efficient trucks play to keep American businesses running," said Kevin Murphy, Ferguson CEO. "We are pleased to announce this innovative collaboration with Ford to help improve alternative fuel options in their medium-duty fleet, in line with our overall corporate sustainability strategy to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions."

This pilot program with Ford complements Ferguson's previously announced pilot program to launch 30 class 6 through 8 all-electric delivery trucks in its fleet in collaboration with Holman and Electrada. The turnkey fleet management and electrification solutions enable Ferguson to deploy medium- and heavy-duty all-electric vehicles throughout California while streamlining the development of the necessary charging and energy management infrastructure. Together, these investments in new technologies will help inform Ferguson's strategy for a more environmentally friendly fleet.

"As we reviewed emissions from our fleet, we realized our scale in the industry provided us with an opportunity to invest in and test new technologies. Participation in Ford's F550 Fuel Cell Prototype Work Truck pilot program will provide further learnings as we work to convert Ferguson's fleet more efficiently," said Denise Vaughn, Ferguson Vice President - Environmental, Social and Governance. "Ultimately Ferguson's investment in new technologies will set the industry standard for private fleet conversion, driving an expansion of the country's refueling infrastructure."

"Ford's strategy to reduce carbon emissions across the globe includes investigating multiple technologies that will help us achieve these goals across a broad spectrum of applications," said Jim Buczkowski, executive director, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. "This collaboration with Ferguson is a strong example of where our Ford Pro business and the potential of fuel cell propulsion systems might address the application gaps that battery electric vehicles just can't fulfill. The potential of hydrogen, the most plentiful element on the planet, coupled with fuel cell technology has tremendous potential to power larger, heavier commercial vehicles while still delivering zero tailpipe emissions."

"While the industry continues to evolve and has made great strides, there remain critical challenges that require urgent consideration to facilitate real progress," said Thurman Register III, Ferguson's Senior Fleet Manager. "Fleets cannot delay deployment of cleaner fuel technology based on their current vehicle retention and replacement strategies. Future industry success is driven by companies like Ferguson investing and collaborating with OEM partners to build solutions that improve the environment without disrupting business. Our collective work addresses multiple industry issues and drives the commercial fleet industry quickly towards a more sustainable future."

The story can be found online here: https://www.fergusonpressroom.com/ferguson-announces-collaboration-with-ford-to-explore-alternative-fuel-sources-for-a-more-sustainable-transportation-future-in-commercial-fleets

More information about Ferguson's sustainability priorities can be found on its sustainability page, available at fergusonplc.com and visit Ferguson's press room for more news.

About Ferguson

Ferguson plc (NYSE: FERG) (LSE: FERG) is a leading value-added distributor in North America providing expertise, solutions and products from infrastructure, plumbing and appliances to HVAC, fire, fabrication and more. We exist to make our customers' complex projects simple, successful and sustainable. Ferguson is headquartered in the U.K., with its operations and associates solely focused on North America and managed from Newport News, Virginia. For more information, please visit www.fergusonplc.com or follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ferguson-enterprises.

About SuperTruck 3

SuperTruck 3 is an initiative jointly funded by the DOE Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Technologies Office and the Vehicle Technologies Office within the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office, and under DOE Cooperative Agreement No. DE-EE0009858.

Contact: Christine Dwyer, christine.dwyer@ferguson.com

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SOURCE Ferguson

FAQ

What is the collaboration between Ferguson and Ford about?

Ferguson is partnering with Ford to pilot a F550 Fuel Cell Prototype Chassis Work Truck to explore alternative fuel solutions and support sustainability efforts.

What are the goals of the Ferguson and Ford pilot program?

The pilot aims to evaluate fuel cell technology's performance within Ferguson's fleet and gather data to improve commercial vehicle engineering requirements.

When was the Ferguson and Ford collaboration announced?

The collaboration was announced on September 13, 2022.

What environmental benefits does this collaboration provide?

The collaboration aims to reduce Scope 1 emissions and address battery range and payload capacity challenges, facilitating a shift to more environmentally friendly transportation.

Is Ferguson involved in other sustainability projects?

Yes, Ferguson is also launching a program to deploy 30 all-electric delivery trucks in California as part of its sustainability strategy.