Freightliner Trucks announced that Saddle Creek Corp. has added 40 Freightliner Business Class M2 112 compressed natural gas tractors, doubling its fleet of Freightliner CNG tractors. Each tractor will be outfitted with a 140-gallon fuel system, allowing for an approximate range of 550 to 575 miles per day, depending on the application.

Headquartered in Lakeland, Fla., Saddle Creek is a third-party logistics company providing integrated supply chain solutions nationwide. The company says the additional Freightliner CNG tractors reinforce its commitment to environmental sustainability and fuel-efficient operations.

“Saddle Creek was very pleased with the level of customer service demonstrated by both our dealership, Tampa Truck Center, and by Freightliner,” says Mike DelBovo, president of Saddle Creek. “We have learned a lot from the first 40 trucks and are very excited about the next 40 as we continue to implement natural gas technology across our truckload operations in the Southeast.”

The Freightliner M2 112 CNG is powered by the Cummins Westport ISL G 8.9-liter natural gas engine with a maintenance-free three-way catalyst and no diesel particulate filter regeneration, helping to lower overall cost of operations.

“Saddle Creek has demonstrated that natural gas is an environmentally-friendly option that also reduces fuel costs,” says Robert Carrick, vocational sales manager – natural gas, for Freightliner Trucks. “We will continue to provide our customers with sustainable and innovative solutions.”

Freightliner Trucks’ commitment to green technologies is part of parent company Daimler AG’s global Shaping Future Transportation initiative launched in 2007 that focuses on reducing criteria pollutants, carbon dioxide and fuel consumption. In February, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certified Daimler Truck North America’s portfolio of model year 2013 on-highway, vocational and medium-duty vehicles as compliant with the new Greenhouse Gas 2014 regulations.