Ryder System Inc has been recognized as a Clear Air Champion by the Tucson and Phoenix Clean Cities Coalition at the Arizona Clean Cities Coalitions’ Legislative Breakfast, which was recently held at the Arizona state capitol.
Ryder was honored as a major contributor to development of alternative fuel vehicle technologies in the state of Arizona. Bobby Stewart, the company’s group director of national sales, accepted the award on behalf of Ryder.
In September 2011, Golden Eagle Distributors Inc, a Ryder full-service lease customer based in Tucson, announced it would convert its entire heavy-duty fleet of 22 diesel-powered delivery vehicles in Tucson to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles from Ryder. Golden Eagle’s decision to switch to natural gas was part of a strategic alternative fuel program focused on reducing transportation-generated emissions and reducing fuel costs. Ryder helped Golden Eagle through the process of understanding how the CNG vehicles could meet the needs of its loads and drivers while providing a cost-savings over the long term. Throughout the process, Ryder evaluated the natural gas vehicle technology for Golden Eagle, and configured and acquired the vehicles specific to Golden Eagle’s requirements.
Ryder became the first fleet provider to offer heavy-duty natural gas vehicles for the leasing and rental industry through a groundbreaking natural gas vehicle project with the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) in Southern California announced in 2010. The Ryder/SANBAG project is part of a joint public/private partnership among the US Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission, San Bernardino Associated Governments, Southern California Association of Governments, and Ryder. The $38.7 million effort includes a total of 202 natural gas vehicles for lease or rent; three natural gas-compliant maintenance shops in Rancho Dominguez, Orange, and Fontana CA; and two fueling stations. At completion, the Ryder/SANBAG project will displace more than 1.5 million gallons of diesel annually with 100% domestically produced low-carbon natural gas. Since announcing the SANBAG project in April 2010, Ryder has expanded its natural gas vehicle offerings to Tucson, as well as Livonia and Grand Rapids MI.
