UPS says it plans to support its growing fleet of heavy-duty natural-gas-powered trucks with the addition of nine liquefied natural gas (LNG) stations to its existing network of refueling infrastructure.
According to the company, the new LNG stations – which will be owned and operated by UPS and be located in proximity to existing UPS facilities – will be built in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. These refueling sites represent an investment of approximately $50 million.
UPS already has a jump on its LNG refueling needs, with four stations (one in Dallas and one each in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis, Tenn.) currently under construction. The company says all 13 stations are expected to be operational by the end of next year.
The alternative fuels business unit of GP Strategies Corp. has been contracted to build UPS' LNG refueling infrastructure. The company will serve as the lead engineering firm, equipment manufacturer and general contractor for the projects.
According to GP Strategies, each of UPS' stations will have at least three 18,000-gallon LNG storage tanks, as well as at least two LNG fuel dispensers. The design will accommodate the refueling needs of 100 or more tractors each day, and all the stations will be expandable as UPS adds more natural gas vehicles.
This spring, UPS announced that it intended to add 700 LNG tractors to its existing fleet of more than 100 units. The company's LNG tractors – the first of which UPS rolled out in 2002 – are currently being used in fleet operations in areas such as Las Vegas, Phoenix and Salt Lake City.
