Navistar has delivered some of its first eStar all-electric trucks to Pacific Gas and Electric Company in Sacramento, Calif.

With a range of 100 miles on an eight-hour charge, the Class 2C-3 van is targeted at operations that currently use gasoline or diesel step vans in city applications.

"A state as green as California can appreciate the amazing potential of the eStar all-electric truck when it comes to clean, energy-efficient transportation," said Shane Terblanche, general manager, Navistar-Modec Electric Vehicle Alliance LLC, the joint venture between Navistar Inc. and Modec Limited of the United Kingdom.

"PG&E is pleased to add the eStar all-electric truck to our diversified portfolio of alternative fuel technologies," said Ed Bedwell, PG&E's senior director of state and local government relations. "This clean electricity vehicle is part of our continuing commitment to reduce the impact of our operations and improve the air quality in the communities we serve."

Riverview International Trucks of West Sacramento is Navistar's first eStar dealer for the California market. Full production of the eStar began in May at the company's Wakarusa, Ind., facility. Navistar's initial customer-FedEx-has four of the trucks in use in the Los Angeles area. Navistar plans to deliver 400 units to additional customers by the end of 2010.

With zero tailpipe emissions, each eStar truck can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 10 tons annually, says Navistar.

To read Executive Editor Steve Sturgess's report from the Portland, Ore., launch of the eStar, click here.

To read Senior Editor Tom Berg's test drive of the van, click here.