Each new propane autogas fueled delivery truck, equipped with Roush CleanTech fuel technology, are expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 192,000 pounds compared to gasoline. That equals 16.1 million fewer pounds over the lifetime of the fleet.
The first 30 units were placed into service in January, operating from the company’s Chicago-area location, another 27 units began operating from the Denver-area office. The remaining 27 units that will serve the Washington, D.C., region will begin making deliveries this month. These alternative fueled trucks work as route vehicles delivering Bimbo products, such as Thomas’, Oroweat, Entenmann’s and Sara Lee, to retail locations.
“We helped train their technicians on the specifics of servicing our propane autogas Ford F-59 trucks,” says Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for Roush CleanTech.
The bakery installed on-site fueling stations at each location, eliminating the need to refill at retail stations. Gary Maresca, senior director of fleet services for Bimbo, expects to see a reduction in operational costs as a result of the lower fuel prices as well as maintenance savings due to the cleaner-burning properties of the fuel.
The company currently pays about $1.30 per gallon of propane autogas compared to $1.80 for gasoline. This cost rolls in the expense of the refueling infrastructure. Bimbo tapped incentives in both Colorado and Maryland to minimize the initial costs associated with alternative fuel technologies.
