UPS fleet expanding renewable natural gas use

DALLAS.  UPS will be moving delivery trucks in Fresno, Sacramento and Los Angles to renewable natural gas (RNG) under a new supply agreement with Clean Energy Fuels Co.  Announced during the 2015 ACT Expo and Conference, the agreement makes UPS the largest commercial truck user of RNG, according to the company.

Also known as biomethane, RNG is captured from decomposing organic material. Clean Energy will supply three UPS fueling stations with its branded Redeem RNG beginning this month.  The stations are expected to supply about 1.5 million diesel gallon equivalents (DGEs).

"Renewable natural gas is critical to our effort to minimize UPS's environmental impact while meeting the growing demand for our services," said Mitch Nichols, UPS senior VP of transportation and engineering. "Our rolling laboratory approach provides a unique opportunity for UPS to test different fuels and technologies. Today's RNG agreement will help mature the market for this promising alternative fuel. This commitment also positions UPS to use RNG in its extensive natural gas fleet which includes more than 2,500 medium and heavy duty vehicles."

In announcing the new fuel agreement, UPS said it currently operates natural gas tractors on RNG in the UK through a partnership with Mercedes Benz.