A motivation to reduce emissions pollution has sparked a movement across the nation to find a viable alternative fuel for the trucking industry. Recently, the Clean Energy Fuel Corporation received a $150 million investment by the Chesapeake Energy Companywhich will be used to fund the expansion of natural gas fuel stations throughout the country.

The natural gas fuel stations project is expected to result in an extensive nationwide network of 150 natural gas fueling stations that will be completed over the next two years.

“Natural gas seems to be a good alternative fuel solution for the trucking industry,” said Brent Bois, president of intermodal trucking company, Universal Transportation Services. “This is reflected by substantial investments in infrastructure and equipment by large organizations.”

Currently priced lower than diesel or gasoline, the use of natural gas fuels has also proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

There are now more than 100 public natural gas fueling stations throughout the state of California, making them the most progressive state in the movement. The plan presented by the Clean Energy Corp. will increase the amount of natural gas fuel stations throughout various regions of the nation, focusing on interstates and highways.

Many of the fueling stations will be located at Pilot-Flying J Travel Centers. Clean Energy has made an agreement with Pilot Travel Centers to build, own and operate at various facilities throughout the country. Once the fuel becomes more readily available, some trucking companies may begin acquiring the necessary equipment to utilize the new fuel stations.

The worldwide trucking company, Ryder System has recently announced that they have secured the lease for 87 natural gas trucks to satisfy the growing demand for the equipment. Sixty-seven of these trucks will be based in California, and will utilize the existing natural gas fueling stations available throughout the state.

However, until the infrastructure is developed for natural gas stations across other regions of the United States and the companies are able to afford the equipment, the transition to natural gas heavy-loaders may be put on hold.

“The intermodal trucking industry will be well suited to support this fuel source because most our moves are local and regional,” Bois said. “However, most intermodal truckers would not be able to support the cost of these vehicles because a large portion of the industry is made up of smaller companies who lack the funds or credit to purchase new equipment.”

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Article Source: IntermodalTransportationMidwest.com

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