Indian River Transport has added five Freightliner Cascadia 113 compressed natural gas (CNG) day cabs to its fleet. The new trucks are the first alternative fuel vehicles in the 600-tractor fleet.Based in Winter Haven, FL, Indian River Transport said it is one of the largest food grade tank carriers in the U.S. The new CNG trucks will be used for 10 to 12 runs per day, per truck, 24 hours a day, the company said.“One of our customers wanted a smaller carbon footprint, lower fuel costs and reduced noise levels in the communities these trucks serve,” said Mark Gressett, safety director for Indian River Transport. “Freightliner’s natural gas solution aligned with our priorities.”Powered by the Cummins Westport ISX12 G heavy-duty natural gas engine, the Cascadia 113 CNG day cab is available with a variety of CNG fuel tank configurations, up to 190 diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) capacity with an anticipated fill-range of about 800 miles.“Indian River Transport has built its 40-year business on continually embracing new technologies to better serve customers, and natural gas was the next step for them,” said Robert Carrick, natural gas sales manager for Freightliner Trucks. “The Cascadia 113 CNG is an environmentally friendly solution that will achieve the efficiency and performance results required by Indian River Transport and its customers.”Freightliner’s commitment to green technologies is part of parent company Daimler AG’s global “Shaping Future Transportation” initiative. Launched in 2007, the initiative is focused on reducing criteria pollutants, carbon dioxide and fuel consumption through the utilization of clean, efficient drive systems, including clean diesel and alternative fuels. Since 2008, Freightliner Trucks has sold more 3,000 natural gas-powered trucks and tractors, the company said.
