Saddle Creek Logistics Services will be leasing 31 heavy-duty compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks from Ryder System Inc. as the latest deployment in its extensive alternative fuel vehicle fleet.
Saddle Creek will operate 30 of these NGVs in the Dallas/Fort Worth region, where Ryder will maintain and service the trucks at its existing facility in Fort Worth. One of the trucks will be in service Shreveport, La., and also be maintained by Ryder's local technicians. All 31 CNG trucks will be delivered during the first quarter of 2014.
Ryder notes that the NGVs are being made available through its participation in the Texas Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program, which is funded by the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan initiatives and administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Saddle Creek has emerged as a leading advocate of natural gas usage in heavy-duty trucking applications, with more than 100 CNG-powered tractors already in operation – representing almost a quarter of its fleet. The company also has its own CNG refueling station in Lakeland, Fla., which is operated by Clean Energy Fuels Corp.
