UPS to add 380 CNG-fueled tractors to U.S. fleet

In an effort to reduce its environmental impact, UPS Inc. will launch a $100 million initiative that includes adding 380 new compressed natural gas (CNG)-fueled tractors to its alternative-fuel and advanced-technology fleet, the company said today.

Atlanta-based UPS will also build an additional 12 CNG fueling stations as part of its initiative to diversify its fuel sources and meet a stated goal of logging one billion miles with its "green" fleet by the end of 2017. The new stations will join 18 existing CNG fueling stations the company currently operates to keep its alternative-fuel vehicles rolling.

UPS is among the largest carriers investing in alternative-fueled fleets, alongside third-party logistics providers (3PLs) such as NFI and Saddle Creek Logistics Services.

UPS' entire U.S. fleet of alternative-fuel and advanced-technology platforms includes 6,840 all-electric, hybrid electric, hydraulic hybrid, CNG, liquefied natural gas (LNG), propane, or lightweight, composite-body vehicles.

Alternative-fuel vehicles represent just 6 percent of UPS' 100,000-unit global fleet, but have driven a 10-percent annual reduction in the use of conventional fuel, according to Mark Wallace, UPS' senior vice president for global engineering and sustainability.

"At UPS, we own our fleet and our infrastructure," Wallace said in a statement. "That allows us to invest for the long term, rather than planning around near-term fluctuations in fuel pricing. CNG is part of a broad investment in a variety of alternative-fuel vehicles."

UPS said it plans to study the long-term results of its alternative-fuel investments to help the company meet its target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020.