UPS boosts CNG fleet

The parcel carrier and logistics provider will build 15 additional compressed natural gas fueling stations to support 1,400 new CNG vehicles.    UPS plans to purchase and deploy 1,400 new compressed natural gas vehicles over the course of the next year, the company said in a statement. The parcel carrier and logistics provider will build 15 additional CNG fueling stations to support the new vehicles, 12 of which will be in new natural gas vehicle deployment areas, while three will replace existing CNG stations with higher capacity equipment.
   According to UPS, the new vehicles represent a nearly 30 percent increase in the company’s “industry-leading” alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet of 5,088 vehicles. The company said the planned purchases “are part of UPS’ ongoing commitment to diversify its fuel sources, implement a fleet infrastructure that can utilize lower carbon intensity fuel sources and increase experience using alternative fuels in freight transport applications.”
   When the deployments are completed, UPS anticipates its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet will displace approximately 54 million gallons of conventional diesel and gasoline annually while reducing total vehicle emissions. The company said using natural gas instead of gasoline cuts greenhouse emissions 6-11 percent over the fuel life cycle, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Energy.
   UPS plans to deploy its new CNG vehicles in 15 cities: Atlanta, Ga.; Charleston, W.Va.; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colo.; Doraville, Ga.; Lenexa, Kan.; Lexington, Ky.; Montgomery, Ala.; New Orleans, La.; New Stanton, Pa.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Port Allen, La.; Shreveport, La.; Richmond, Va., and Roanoke, Va.  The company noted it already has eight CNG fueling stations throughout California, Colorado, Georgia and Oklahoma and operates CNG vehicles in Germany, the Netherlands and Thailand.
   “UPS’s investment in a large scale alternative energy fleet has enabled the company to avoid more than 34 million gallons of conventional fuels since 2000,” said Mitch Nichols, UPS senior vice president of transportation and engineering. “Today’s CNG announcement demonstrates UPS’s plans to expand use of widely available natural gas. CNG is an important building block in our long-term fleet strategy and offers environmental and economic advantages.”