Total (TOT) and Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE) announced that the two companies have entered into a broad strategic agreement to drive deployment of new natural gas heavy-duty trucks. Total has agreed to purchase up to 50.8M shares of Clean Energy's common stock for $83.4M, to become Clean Energy's largest stockholder with ownership of 25% of Clean Energy's outstanding shares of common stock. This transaction is subject to, among other things, Clean Energy obtaining the approval at its stockholders' meeting, which was originally scheduled for May 30, 2018 and which Clean Energy is announcing will be postponed to June 8, 2018. Clean Energy, with support from Total, also plans to launch an innovative leasing program that is intended to place thousands of new natural gas heavy-duty trucks on the road and fueling at Clean Energy stations. As presently contemplated, this program will allow fleets to begin driving heavy-duty trucks with the cleanest engine in the world at no increased cost compared to the diesel alternative, while also guaranteeing a discounted natural gas fuel price to diesel. Total intends to provide up to $100M of credit support for the program, which the companies expect to launch in Q3 2018.
