This story appears in the Oct. 8 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.
Trucking’s growing use of alternative fuels was the focus of separate announcements by Florida companies last week to increase fueling options and the number of compressed natural gas tractors on the road.
Saddle Creek Logistics Services, Lakeland, Fla., said it is planning to add 62 more Freightliner tractors powered by CNG to its fleet this year.
In addition, Nopetro LLC, Miami, opened a new natural gas fueling facility in Tallahassee along Interstate 75.
Saddle Creek’s new tractors are M2 112 models and are joining a fleet of 40 that are currently in use. The company’s announcement noted its CNG fleet has run 2 million miles.
The company, which serves customers such as Office Depot, runs CNG tractors in Florida, where the flat terrain allows the company to carry full 80,000-pound loads (8-20, p. 26).
“We’re excited to work with leading companies like Office Depot and Covidien that are committed to reducing their environmental footprint,” said Mike DelBovo, president of Saddle Creek Transportation. “With the addition of 62 more trucks, Saddle Creek will reduce its carbon footprint by 11.4 million pounds annually. That’s equivalent to recycling 150 million plastic bottles.”
Saddle Creek uses its own private facility to fuel its tractors.
Meanwhile, Nopetro said 18 other cities have been targeted for natural gas fueling stations, including Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami and Orlando in Florida and Atlanta, Macon and Savannah in Georgia.
The company also cited the lower price of diesel gallon-equivalent natural gas that typically is at least $1, or 25%, lower.
The Tallahassee facility will be used by the Leon County School District, which is converting diesel-powered school buses to CNG.
“This is truly a day worth celebrating — a big step forward in the journey toward independence from expensive foreign fuels,” said Jorge Herrera, co-founder and CEO of Nopetro.
