C.A.T. has signed a full-service agreement with Ryder System for 100 compressed natural gas sleeper tractors, marking Ryder’s first natural gas lease customer in Canada and its largest single natural gas vehicle customer to date. C.A.T., a truckload carrier based in Coteau-du-Lac, Quebec, Canada, will use the trucks in its delivery fleet that travels from Montreal, Canada to Laredo, Texas. Ryder will replace almost one-third of C.A.T.’s fleet of 325 vehicles with 100 CNG sleeper tractors. The natural gas fleet is expected to have a carbon emissions reduction of 2,564 metric tons.
“C.A.T.’s natural gas fleet program will enable us to be extremely successful in supporting our customers’ sustainability efforts. We are excited to work with Ryder to transfer our diesel fleet to a CNG fleet in Canada,” said Daniel Goyette, C.A.T. president. “With Ryder’s natural gas vehicle and maintenance expertise, we have the confidence that we can get the service and performance we need from our fleet today, while operating more cost-efficiently and environmentally-friendly.”
As part of the agreement, Ryder will also provide maintenance for the vehicles from its Montreal, Canada service facility, which is being upgraded for compliance with natural gas standards.
“Ryder’s investment in natural gas vehicles and maintenance infrastructure began with a pilot project in Southern California, and has grown to be one of the largest commercial natural gas vehicle programs in North America,” said Dennis Cooke, Ryder’s president of global fleet management solutions. “As we continue to expand our natural gas vehicle footprint, we are able to help more businesses convert their fleets to this cost-effective and environmentally-friendly advanced fuel solution.”