AT&T says it has placed over 7,500 alternative fuel vehicles in 44 states nationwide, reaching the halfway mark of its commitment to invest up to $565 million to deploy close to 15,000 alternative fuel vehicles by 2018.

The 7,500th vehicle – a 2013 compressed natural gas (CNG) Chevy Express van – was recently delivered to a U-verse technician in Lenexa, Kansas.

AT&T has committed to invest up to $565 million to deploy the alt-fuel vehicles over the course of 10 years through 2018. AT&T said its deployment so far breaks down to 5,474 compressed natural gas vehicles, 1,996 hybrid electrics, 27 extended-range electrics and three all-electric vehicles.

The CNG van is part of AT&T’s plan to deploy up to 8,000 CNG vehicles to its fleet over a five year period through the end of first quarter 2014 – the largest U.S. corporate commitment to CNG to date. The company says the 7,500 vehicles it already has put into service are comprised of 5,474 CNG, 1,996 hybrid electric, 27 extended range electric and 3 all-electric vehicles.

AT&T says its deployment of alternative fuel vehicles enabled the company to avoid the purchase of 7.7 million gallons of gasoline from the beginning of the program through the end of 2012.

“With the help and support of community leaders all over the country, we’ve reached this major milestone and brought thousands of alternative fuel vehicles to U.S. roads,” said Jerome Webber, vice president, AT&T Global Fleet Operations. “This is more than just an arbitrary number. These 7,500 vehicles represent reduced emissions, improved fuel efficiency and reduced operational costs.”

The remaining alternative fuel deployments beyond first quarter 2014 will primarily consist of alternative fuel passenger vehicles, AT&T says. These will include hybrid electric and plug-in extended range electric vehicles, which will offer a significant improvement in fuel economy and reduction in tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions as compared to similar conventionally fueled vehicles.

In August, AT&T was ranked No. 1 on CR Magazine’s 2013 100 Best Corporate Citizens List, which ranks companies based on disclosure and performance measures covering environment, climate change, employee relations, human rights, governance, finance and philanthropy.