Ryder System, Inc. announced that it is partnering with Anheuser-Busch to replace a 66-tractor, heavy-haul fleet in Houston with compressed natural gas engines. This marks the brewery company’s first conversion of an entire fleet and represents a significant milestone in demonstrating its commitment to reducing environmental impact in logistics. The transition comes as the 2014 football season kicks off one of the company’s busiest shipping periods of the year, with 17 million cases of beer shipped by the Houston fleet during third quarter.
“The next generation CNG engine technology paired with support from state incentive programs contributed to our ability to take such a significant step in fully converting our Houston fleet,” said James Sembrot, Senior Director, Transportation, Anheuser-Busch. “Houston is a strategic choice due to the central location to our facilities and distribution radius, as well as its proximity to fueling stations.”
Anheuser-Busch is one of only a few large, heavy-haul shippers to complete a full fleet conversion to alternative fuel vehicles. Through the advanced engine technology, the fleet is expected to reduce 2,000-tons of CO2 emissions per year when adjusting emissions reduction for consumption rates. Besides, the 12-liter lighter-weight engines are expected to emit 23% less greenhouse gases (compared to diesel), which is the equivalent of taking approximately 420 passenger vehicles off the road.
The trucks are being made available through Ryder’s participation in the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program (TNGVGP), funded by the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) initiatives and administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). As part of the lease agreement, Ryder will maintain the vehicles out of its Houston service facility. This is Ryder’s first project with Anheuser-Busch and Ryder’s largest NGV deployment to date.
Source: Ryder/Anheuser-Busch
