Saddle Creek Strengthens Commitment to CNG

As its compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet reaches the 50-million-mile mark this month, Saddle Creek Logistics Services continues to expand its CNG operations and support the company’s commitment to sustainability with a number of eco-friendly initiatives.

Since its launch in 2012, Saddle Creek’s CNG fleet has grown from 40 tractors to 200 dedicated tractors to meet customer demand. Each CNG truck reduces the fleet’s carbon footprint by approximately 120,000 pounds of carbon per year. By using CNG trucks instead of diesel, Saddle Creek has replaced more than 9 million gallons of diesel with natural gas.

The environmentally friendly fleet now serves the Southeast and Southwest with operations in Lakeland and Jacksonville, Fla.; Atlanta and Valdosta, Ga.; and Fort Worth, Texas. Fortune 500 companies and major retailers are tapping this eco-friendly fleet to support of their corporate sustainability programs.

Saddle Creek continues to invest in its CNG operations. The company regularly upgrades technology and is now operating the sixth generation of Freightliner CNG trucks. To accommodate the growing fleet, Saddle Creek recently completed a $1.5-million upgrade to the fueling facility at its Lakeland, Fla. headquarters, increasing the availability of more efficient time-fill stations.

To further reduce emissions, Saddle Creek is in the process of converting 50 older diesel tractors into dual CNG-diesel fuel vehicles. By replacing diesel-fueled engines with EPA-certified CNG engines, the company will replace 70 percent of the diesel used with natural gas.

“Our investment in CNG has enabled us to stabilize fuel costs while reducing our environmental footprint. The 50-million-mile mark is a significant milestone for our CNG program,” said Mike DelBovo, president, Saddle Creek Transportation. “We look forward to working with our industry partners to expand the nation’s infrastructure to support the adoption of natural gas as a fuel source on an even broader scale.”