Shell and TravelCenters of America LLC (TA) have completed an agreement to develop a US nationwide network of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling centers for heavy-duty road transport customers.
The plan is to construct at least two LNG fueling lanes and a storage facility at up to 100 existing TA and Petro Stopping Centers branded full-service travel centers along the US Interstate highway system. Construction and opening of the LNG stations will be done in a phased approach. Pending customary approvals, the first of these stations is expected to be operational in roughly one year’s time with a priority to develop the main trucking corridors to provide the potential for the first-ever coast-to-coast LNG-fueled commercial transport network.
“Shell is investing now in the infrastructure that will bring this innovative, cost-competitive, and environmentally beneficial fuel to our customers”, said Elen Phillips, vice-president, Shell Fuels Sales & Marketing Americas. “We are leveraging our strength as an integrated company to produce, liquefy, distribute, and commercialize natural gas in transport—and TravelCenters of America is the ideal partner to help us bring this vision to life.”
Demand for fuels like LNG from commercial customers is growing due to the range of benefits for trucking fleet operators. These benefits can include lower fuel costs, the potential to reduce emissions, and reduction of noise levels in certain engines.
