Beer distributor orders 43 Freightliner NGVs and will open its own filling station

J.J. Taylor Companies has ordered 43 Freightliner Business Class M2 112 CNG tractors and plans to completely replace its Tampa-based fleet consisting of 95 diesel tractors to the cleaner burning natural gas units within the next 36 months. The vehicles are arriving in Tampa and will be in-service by February 2013. Plans for a second station and conversion of the company’s 75 tractor fleet in Fort Myers, FL are underway.

Florida State Senator Wilton Simpson congratulated J.J. Taylor on its switch to CNG.  “Companies that make the commitment to this fuel will have more money to hire new employees and invest in their businesses.  In addition to being the right thing for the environment, this is the right move for Florida’s economy,” Simpson said.  He is sponsoring a proposal in the Florida legislature to boost the use of CNG in Florida.

The Freightliner tractors were acquired through Tampa Truck Center, LLC and are powered by a Cummins-Westport 8.9L ISL-G engine and an Allison 3000Hs transmission. Lease financing is provided by PHH-First Fleet.  The CNG fueling station is being built by Vocational Energy, LLC out of Fontana, CA.  The vehicles will be used in daily delivery operations in the company’s territory covering Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Source: J.J. Taylor Companies, Inc.