C.A.T., a truckload carrier based in Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, has signed a full-service lease agreement for a fleet of compressed natural gas sleeper tractors to be used in its delivery service that travels from Montreal to Laredo, Texas. This is Ryder’s first natural gas lease customer in Canada and its largest single natural gas vehicle customer to date.
Ryder will also provide maintenance for the 100 CNG vehicles from Ryder’s Montreal, Canada service facility, which is being upgraded for compliance with natural gas standards.
“Ryder’s investment in natural gas vehicles and maintenance infrastructure began with a pilot project in Southern California, and has grown to be one of the largest commercial natural gas vehicle programs in North America,” said Ryder President of Global Fleet Management Solutions, Dennis Cooke. “As we continue to expand our natural gas vehicle footprint, we are able to help more businesses convert their fleets to this cost-effective and environmentally-friendly advanced fuel solution.”
C.A.T. has been leasing trucks from Ryder for the past eight years. Ryder will replace almost one-third of C.A.T.’s fleet of 325 vehicles with 100 CNG sleeper tractors, which is expected to have a carbon emissions reduction of 2,564 metric tons.
Daniel Goyette, president of C.A.T., comments: “The company’s natural gas fleet program will enable us to be extremely successful in supporting our customers’ sustainability efforts. We are excited to work with Ryder to transfer our diesel fleet to a CNG fleet in Canada. With Ryder’s natural gas vehicle and maintenance expertise, we have the confidence that we can get the service and performance we need from our fleet today, while operating more cost-efficiently and environmentally-friendly.”
Source: Ryder System, Inc.