Nestle’s autogas fleet will be joined by an additional 155 propane-fueled trucks next month.Nestle Waters North America will be expanding its autogas fleet with the addition of 155 Ford F-650 medium-duty trucks equipped with propane fuel systems.
Next month, the new autogas trucks will be joining the Connecticut-based company’s fleet of 30 autogas trucks of the same model.
Over the vehicles’ lifetime, the 155 Ford F-650 trucks will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 24.6 million pounds.
“Becoming a better steward of our environment is a priority for Nestlé Waters,” Bill Ardis, national fleet manager for Nestlé Waters North America, said at the NTEA Work Truck Show.
“We’ve been running propane autogas vehicles since 2014. Because of the proven emissions reductions and cost savings, we knew it was the right choice to expand our fleet with this domestically produced alternative fuel.”
Propane autogas, a domestically produced fuel, costs the company an average of $1 per gallon, versus their $2 per gallon cost of diesel.
“Customers have already noticed that our trucks operating on autogas are quieter and cleaner,” Ardis said.
Each delivery truck is equipped with a California Air Resources Board- and Environmental Protection Agency-compliant ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system with a 45-usable gallon fuel tank. Mickey Body in High Point, North Carolina, upfitted the vehicles with side-load beverage bays.
“Fueling beverage delivery trucks with propane autogas offers the best total cost of ownership,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech.
“By choosing this safe, abundant and American-made fuel, fleets around the nation have reduced operating costs and lowered their carbon footprint.”
Of the almost 9,000 vehicles equipped with ROUSH CleanTech fuel systems, nearly 500 operate in the food and beverage industry. This includes Bimbo Bakeries’ 84 new Ford F-59s and Nestlé Waters North America’s 185 Ford F-650s.
HWT Related: Bimbo Bakeries USA deploys autogas delivery vehicles in major markets
HWT Related: CleanFUEL, Wesport reach supplier agreement for 2016 F-150 propane prep kit
HWT Related: Propane Autogas: A big money saver in vehicle maintenance
