Ryder System Inc., a commercial fleet management, dedicated transportation and supply-chain solutions provider, has begun to offer renewable diesel fuel at its San Francisco fueling facility, located at 2700 3rd St.
With this implementation, Ryder says its customers will be better able to address their sustainability goals of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions while still utilizing diesel vehicles.
“By making the switch to renewable diesel, Ryder’s leadership is expected to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by approximately 1,028 metric tons per year using current fuel volumes, improving air quality for everyone in the Bay Area.”
“Our decision to use 100 percent [renewable diesel] is based upon our ongoing commitment to ensuring we are delivering solutions that help our customers reduce greenhouse-gas emissions,” says Chris Nordh, Ryder director for global fuel products.
“This offering is the latest effort in helping to address the unique needs of our customers and allows for them to take advantage of the environmental benefits of a reliable renewable fuel source,” he explains. “Not to be confused with biodiesel, [renewable diesel] goes through a hydrotreating process instead of a transesterification process through which an ASTM D975-compliant diesel product is created, therefore offering a better solution for fuel filters, elastomer seals and components, and storage tanks.”
Based on production levels and availability of renewable diesel, Ryder says it will continue to monitor other markets, with plans for expanding this offering. The company also plans to continually analyze market opportunities that would benefit its customers to have renewable diesel available for their fleets – either through Ryder’s fueling facilities or its new mobile fueling solution that provides fuel deliveries directly into vehicles parked on customer sites.
As reported, this mobile service is now available through Ryder in both the U.S. and Canada.
“Cities must work with the private sector to reduce carbon pollution by transforming the energy we use to move people and goods. Renewable diesel is an excellent transition fuel as we move toward our zero-emission vehicle future powered by 100 percent renewable energy or biofuels,” says Debbie Raphael, director of San Francisco’s department of the environment.
“San Francisco led the nation in 2015 by switching our entire municipal fleet to renewable diesel, and we’ve been engaging private- and public-sector fleets, including Ryder, on the benefits of renewable diesel since,” she continues. “By making the switch to renewable diesel, Ryder’s leadership is expected to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by approximately 1,028 metric tons per year using current fuel volumes, improving air quality for everyone in the Bay Area.”
Ryder also notes its efforts in operating advanced vehicle technologies in commercial truck applications, including the company’s natural gas vehicle (NGV) and maintenance solutions offering. Ryder currently has more than 100 million miles of NGV operation; 22 NGV maintenance facilities, including two NGV fueling facilities in Orange and Fontana, Calif.; and more than 6,200 NGV trained maintenance and support personnel across its North American service network.
