Freightliner Delivering 70 M2 112 Natural Gas Tractors to Ryder System

Freightliner Trucks has begun to deliver the first 70 of 182 Freightliner Business Class M2 112 natural gas tractors to Ryder System, Inc., a commercial transportation and supply chain management solutions provider.

The order is part of Ryder’s agreement with the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) to launch a groundbreaking natural gas truck rental and leasing project for commercial fleets in Southern California. The delivery of this initial order will be completed by the end of May. Ryder will integrate the M2 112 NG trucks into its Southern California operations network, where the company’s 1,200 customers in the region will be able to access them through short-term rentals, long-term leases, or through Ryder’s dedicated logistics services. As part of Ryder’s agreement with SANBAG, the company will construct two natural gas fueling stations and maintain the vehicles at three strategically located maintenance shops in Rancho Dominguez, Orange, and Fontana, Calif. The SANBAG project is being conducted in partnership with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Clean Cities Coalition in order to increase the use of domestically produced alternative fuels and reduce emissions by bolstering the existing regional infrastructure in Southern California. When fully implemented, the project will displace more than 1.5 million gallons of diesel annually with 100 percent domestically produced low-carbon natural gas. The initial Freightliner tractor delivery was celebrated May 4 at Ryder’s Rancho Dominguez, Calif. maintenance facility as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating its completion as the first facility in the company’s network to be upgraded for the indoor servicing of natural gas-powered heavy duty vehicles. Attendees were briefed on Ryder’s overall natural gas vehicle and infrastructure project efforts, which also includes building two publicly accessible LNG/LCNG fueling stations that will provide additional critical fueling points within Ryder’s network and the Southern California region. “The project with SANBAG demonstrates Ryder’s commitment to deliver innovative alternative fuel solutions that bring long-term, sustainable fleet advantages to our customers,” said Robert Sanchez, president of global fleet management solutions for Ryder. “We are excited to be leveraging the latest vehicle technology from Freightliner to help our customers realize the predictable, cost-efficient, and environmental benefits of natural gas.” Ryder’s liquefied and compressed natural gas trucks are equipped with the Cummins ISL-G natural gas engine, and include the Allison 3000HS transmissions for optimum performance and efficiency. More information about the Ryder/SANBAG natural gas truck project can be found at www.thengvproject.com. For more information on Freightliner Trucks, go to www.FreightlinerTrucks.com.