AmeriPride Services, a textile rental services and supply company in North America, says it received the first of 20 compressed natural gas (CNG) step vans at its Vancouver branch in an expansion of its alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) program.
According to AmeriPride, the company will incorporate the additional CNG delivery trucks into its fleet over the upcoming weeks and months as a part of its ongoing effort to reduce its carbon footprint and lead the industry in environmental sustainability.
“AmeriPride is absolutely committed to the environment and expanding our alternative fuels program across the company,” says Bill Evans, president and CEO of AmeriPride. “The company has a strong track record of piloting and incorporating new technology into our delivery operations. We are setting a new standard for clean operations in our industry and continue to invest resources to leverage and help advance green technologies.”
The company’s new CNG vehicles are manufactured by Freightliner Custom Chassis and Morgan Olson, with the conversion completed by Green Alternative Systems. AmeriPride notes that the vehicles are powered by a General Motors 6 L engine, and the tanks have 52 usable gallons of capacity.
AmeriPride says that it chose the Vancouver market for this initiative based on incentive funding provided by FortisBC that assisted with the costs of CNG conversion for the vehicles. In addition, FortisBC made upgrades to its local CNG fueling infrastructure.
“I look forward to incorporating the vehicles into our delivery operations and taking advantage of the many financial and environmental benefits of this new technology,” says Kris Groom, general manager of the Vancouver branch.
Once the new CNG trucks are incorporated into its fleet operations, AmeriPride will have a total of 36 CNG trucks, 16 propane trucks and two electric vehicles in operation across the company, with more to come in the upcoming year.
The AFV program is a part of a larger company-wide effort to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly, including the implementation of trailer skirting and double-decker semi trailers; fuel-efficient sedans for the service team; and the installation of telematics technology and route optimization software to reduce mileage and increase efficiency.
