Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced longtime customer Raven Transport is expanding its clean-burning natural gas fleet with 115 Peterbilt Model 579s, equipped with sleepers and powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) to haul goods for a leading consumer packaged goods company.
Clean Energy will support this fleet by opening truck-friendly natural gas fueling stations in Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala., Theodore, Ala., and Pearl, Miss. The fleet will also fuel at Clean Energy’s existing Albany, Ga., Valdosta, Ga., Houston Baytown, Texas, Charlotte, N.C., and Jacksonville, Fla., stations. Mobile LNG fueling units also will be deployed in Pineville, La., Union City, Ga., Eden, N.C., and Ocala, Fla., to enable LNG refueling throughout the Southeast.
“Raven is rising to the challenge to move our customers’ goods with clean-burning fuel. Industry-leading shippers continue to set the standard in sustainable logistics, and today’s announcement enables Raven to accommodate these high standards,” said Stephen Silverman, chief operating officer for Raven Transport.
Raven purchased its expanded natural gas truck fleet from Rush Truck Center in Jacksonville, Fla., part of the largest network of commercial vehicle dealerships in the United States, which is owned and operated by Rush Enterprises. Custom Vehicle Solutions, another Rush Enterprises company, then completed the installation of Chart LNG fuel systems purchased through Clean Energy’s tank pricing program. The fleet will operate on irregular routes originating from production plants and distribution centers in the Southeast and is forecasted to consume approximately 2.4 million additional DGEs of LNG annually.
Natural gas fuel costs up to $1 less per gallon than gasoline or diesel, depending on local market conditions. The use of natural gas fuel not only reduces operating costs for vehicles, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 30 percent in light duty vehicles and 23 percent in medium to heavy duty vehicles. In addition, nearly all natural gas consumed in North America is produced domestically.
“The natural gas fueling ecology continues to strengthen as America’s largest shippers and their logistics companies transition to natural gas. As these four stations open and join our existing infrastructure it becomes increasingly feasible for fleets hauling in the Southeast and beyond to make the switch to natural gas,” said Chad Lindholm, vice president of Clean Energy.
“We’re proud to provide Raven Transport with our aerodynamic Model 579s powered by LNG, the newest addition to our industry-leading portfolio of natural gas vehicles,” said Robert Woodall, Peterbilt assistant general manager, sales and marketing. “Peterbilt continues to partner with environmental and alternative fuel leaders as we develop advanced vehicle technologies and solutions to meet their full range of needs.”
"Rush Enterprises is pleased to support Raven Transport, leaders in the alternative fuel space,” said W.M. “Rusty” Rush, chairman, CEO and president of Rush Enterprises. “With this informed and progressive choice, Raven Transport will continue to drive adoption of alternative fuels, impacting the entire transportation industry.
“Rush Truck Centers has made significant investments to support alternative fuel vehicles with dedicated natural gas bays and certified technicians across the country, allowing us to continue to support Raven Transport with their service needs,” Rush added.
