Foodservice distribution giant Sysco Corp. is considering using natural gas to power its trucking fleet.
For a truck that averages 50,000 miles traveled each year, going to natural gas will reduce particulate emissions by 400 pounds, according to the Deseret News.
Using such a truck could slash the amount of diesel fuel the company uses by almost 15,000 gallons per truck, because using a gallon of compressed natural gas can propel a truck fifty times as far as conventional fuel, according to the article.
Sysco is testing the truck as part of a $14.9 million grant Utah received from the U.S. Department of Energy, administered by the clean air coalition.
CH4 Energy and Cummins Rocky Mountain are providing technical expertise and equipment for the test.
In addition to the test of compressed natural gas, Sysco has pledged that its vehicles will travel at no more than 60 miles per hour, and the company is enforcing a no-idling policy. Sysco will use on-board software to monitor compliance.
