Anheuser-Busch Converts Houston Fleet to CNG
Anheuser-Busch is converting its fleet of 66 diesel trucks in Houston to compressed natural gas-powered engines.
This is the first time the beer company has converted an entire fleet, and it is working with Ryder System Inc. to make the switch.
“We are honored that Anheuser-Busch has trusted Ryder as its leasing and maintenance partner to help take this important step toward reducing the environmental impact of their fleet,” Dennis Cooke, president, global fleet management solutions for Ryder, said in a statement.
The conversion will take place as the football season begins, one of the company’s busiest shipping periods. The Houston fleet is expected to ship 17 million cases of beer in the third quarter, according to Ryder.
The new engines are expected to reduce the company’s carbon dioxide emissions by 2,000 tons per year.
The lighter engines are expected to emit 23% less greenhouse gases compared with diesel, the equivalent to taking about 420 passenger vehicles off the road.
“The city of Houston was an early leader in the pursuit of cleaner, greener energy options,” Mayor Annise Parker said in a statement.
“It is encouraging to see one of our major companies taking a major step forward in this area. Cleaner technologies benefit all Houstonians because they help improve the air we breathe,” she added.
Miami-based Ryder System is the parent company of Ryder Supply Chain Solutions, which ranks No. 11 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.
