New York alternative fuel project invests in 15 heavy duty CNG vehicles

The alternative transportation project, which is receiving $1 million from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), includes 15 Kenworth heavy duty natural gas trucks, leased from Ryder System, Inc., that will comprise 16% of the fleet. In addition, there will be upgrades to Willow Run’s on-site maintenance facility, operated by Ryder, to meet the unique specifications required to service NGVs.

The trucks featuring 11.9 liter CNG Cummins engines will be mostly used in New York City, Long Island and northern New Jersey, helping to offset a high-traffic region with significant greenhouse gas emissions. The vehicles will have up to a 500-mile range on a single fill-up, which is more than a typical CNG truck. This will allow drivers to complete a full delivery circuit from the company’s distribution center without having to refuel.

“Our partnership with Willow Run Foods provides an opportunity to help meet Governor Cuomo’s goal of increasing the use of alternative fuels in New York, which will be beneficial not only to the state’s cleantech economy but to the environment,” said Janet Joseph, Vice President for Technology and Strategic Planning, NYSERDA.

Source: Willow Run Foods Inc.