UPS expanding fleet of natural gas trucks

UPS compressed natural gas truck. Source: UPS

UPS compressed natural gas truck. Source: UPS

UPS is adding more than 700 natural gas trucks to its fleet this year, part of an effort to replace 40 percent of gasoline or diesel for its ground vehicles with alternative fuels.

The Sandy Springs-based shipping giant is also adding five compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations this year to the more than 50 natural gas stations it has in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Combined, the new vehicles and fueling stations amount to a $130 million investment in natural gas capacity this year, according to the company, which sees itself as a “catalyst for wide scale adoption of natural gas vehicles.” UPS said it is the largest transportation sector user of renewable natural gas.

The new CNG vehicles include 400 Freightliner and Kenworth semi-trucks and 330 TICO terminal trucks. Terminal trucks are used at distribution centers and ports to move semi-trailers.

The new CNG stations will be in Goodyear, Ariz., Plainfield, Ind., Edgerton, Kan., and Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas.

UPS uses a variety of alternative fuel vehicles, including electric, hybrid electric, hydraulic hybrid, ethanol, CNG, liquefied natural gas and propane vehicles.