AT&T (News - Alert), a telecom service provider, announced that it deployed its 4,000th alternative-fuel vehicle (AFV) in its corporate fleet in Illinois. 

The vehicles are part of AT&T's planned 10-year initiative to invest up to $565 million to replace approximately 15,000 fleet vehicles with alternative fuel models through 2018. AT&T has more than 71,500 vehicles nationwide.

The 4,000th alternative-fuel vehicle deployed in Chicago uses compressed natural gas technology (CNG). It is one of 165 AFVs deployed by AT&T in Illinois. In Illinois AT&T operates 84 hybrid-electric vehicles and 81 CNGs.

“AT&T is one of the largest private-sector employers in Illinois, and I believe its leadership and commitment to sustainability in its business practices are exemplary,” said State Rep. Karen May, chair of the Illinois House Environmental Health Committee and the Illinois House Telecommunications Committee, in a statement. 

“I have worked throughout my career as an advocate for sustainability issues, and I am pleased to recognize AT&T as a friend of the environment.  As AT&T's transition to more alternative fuel vehicles demonstrates, this company is doing business the right way,” May added.

The deployment of fleet AFVs started in 2008. The initiative was part of an overall commitment of AT&T to minimize its environmental impact while operating more efficiently.

“At AT&T we recognize that environmental resources are precious.  Every day we continue to seek new opportunities to operate more efficiently and to minimize our company's impact on the environment,” said Paul La Schiazza, president, AT&T Illinois.  

AT&T will be transitioning more of its corporate fleet to alternative fuel vehicles in the years ahead. Through 2013, AT&T will purchase 8,000 CNG vehicles at an anticipated cost of $350 million. AT&T will invest an additional $215 million through 2018 to replace approximately 7,100 fleet passenger cars with alternative-fuel models, the company said.

Recently, AT&T announced that it activated 2.7 million iPhones in the third quarter, representing the lowest number in nearly a year and a half. 

The company also reported that its recruitment of subscribers to its contract-based plans continued to recover after being reduced earlier this year when Verizon (News - Alert) Wireless announced the availability of the iPhone.