Beverage distributor J.J. Taylor Companies Inc. and partner Vocational Energy (now TruStar Energy LLC) have completed a private compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling station in Tampa, Fla. – J.J. Taylor's first in the state.
Completion of the refueling facility coincides with the company's deployment of 43 Freightliner Business Class M2 112 CNG trucks, acquired through local dealership Tampa Truck Center LLC. Lease financing for these natural gas vehicles was provided by PHH FirstFleet.
J.J. Taylor's Jose Rivera tells NGT News that all 43 tractors, which feature the 8.9-liter ISL G natural gas engine from Cummins Westport, are now in operation. The other 52 trucks in the company's Tampa-based fleet are also in line to be converted to CNG units over the next three years.
The new facility in Tampa – equipped with one dual-hose fast-fill pump and an additional emergency hose – is likely just the first for J.J. Taylor.
Rivera says he and his group are eyeing Cummins Westport's new 11.9-liter ISX12 G for the company's 75-truck Ft. Myers, Fla.-based fleet. If all goes according to plan, six to 10 new Class 8 tractors with the ISX12 G will be in service by the end of this year. With those trucks, a CNG station in Ft. Myers – one also most likely built by TruStar Energy – will be pursued.
Jupiter, Fla.-headquartered J.J. Taylor does most of its business in Florida, but the company also has beer distribution operations in Minneapolis.
