Con-way Freight adds more CNG tractors to fleet

Con-way Freight has added additional Freightliner Cascadia 113 compressed natural gas (CNG) tractors to its fleet. Freightliner began production of the Freightliner Cascadia 113 natural gas-powered tractors in August 2013 and these units are the first Cascadia day cabs with factory-installed CNG tanks to hit the road.

The tractors are equipped with the Cummins Westport ISX 12 G engine and will be used in the Texas market.

It is the second deployment of Freightliner CNG-powered units for Con-way Freight, which since 2011 has operated Freightliner medium-duty tractors, powered by the Cummins Westport ISL G 8.9L engine, on a test basis in the Chicago market.

“Freightliner has been an excellent partner as we have explored how natural gas-powered trucks fare in our operating environment,” said Randy Mullett, Con-way’s vice president of government relations and public affairs. “These new units will allow us to expand our knowledge base, particularly with respect to how the larger CNG-powered engines perform in our line-haul network.

“We believe natural gas has a viable future for heavy-duty commercial freight operations like ours,” Mullett continued. “As the infrastructure matures and the units become more cost competitive, we expect the opportunities for expanded use will increase.”

“We’re proud to see our first Cascadia CNG tractors with factory-installed fuel tanks join the ranks of one of the most reputable, top fleets in the nation,” said Steve Mignardi, Freightliner Trucks Director of National Accounts.  “Con-way Freight has been a longtime partner and we look forward to working together as sustainable fuel technology continues to evolve.”