LISLE, Ill. — Navistar Inc. and Clean Energy Fuels Corp. unveiled a program Wednesday that will provide natural gas-powered trucks to customers at the same cost as diesel vehicles, if the customers commit to purchase their fuel from Clean Energy.
Company officials unveiled the program during a press conference at Navistar’s headquarters just prior to its quarterly meeting with stock market analysts.
The program will begin with medium-duty trucks, and will be expanded to heavy-duty by next year.
Clean Energy recently unveiled a plan to open 70 natural gas truck fueling stations in 33 states this year.
Under the program, Navistar will commit to develop and sell the natural gas trucks, while Clean Energy commits to provide the necessary fueling infrastructure.
A Clean Energy official said the company would guarantee that the fuel would sell for 50 to 60 cents a gallon less than diesel, and the company would ensure that the vehicle leases cost the same as for comparable diesel-powered units.
Navistar said the natural gas vehicles would otherwise cost about $35,000 more than similar diesel-powered models.
