Of the almost 9,000 vehicles equipped with ROUSH CleanTech fuel systems, nearly 500 operate in the food and beverage industry. This includes Bimbo Bakeries’ new Ford F-59s and Nestlé Waters North America’s 185 Ford F-650s.

“Propane autogas makes the most sense for fleets operating trucks and/or buses in the Class 4-7 range,” according to Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “Most of our customers do not want to deal with the added cost and complexity of diesel and propane autogas is a great alternative option based on its lower fuel/maintenance costs and significantly reduced emissions.”

Propane autogas has many advantages driving adoption in Class 4-7, according to Mouw.

“One advantage is that propane autogas includes the flow pressure. It is a liquid fuel, which allows for a significant capacity of fuel (comparable to diesel) to be packed on the truck,” Mouw explained. “In addition, these trucks have horsepower and torque equivalent to a gasoline engine.”

Nestlé Waters Adds 155 Propane Autogas Trucks

After piloting 29 propane autogas trucks in 2014 and 2015, Nestlé Waters North America added 155 Ford F-650 beverage delivery trucks powered by the alternative fuel to markets across the nation.

Nestlé Waters’ switch to propane autogas will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 29.3 million pounds over the lifetime of the vehicles.

Nestlé Waters added the medium-duty trucks to save on maintenance and fuel costs and for “environmental stewardship,” according to the company. The trucks were added to the company’s existing propane autogas fleet of 30 Ford trucks of the same model.

“We’ve been running propane autogas vehicles since 2014,” said Bill Ardis, national fleet manager for the company.

Bimbo Bakeries Delivers on Emissions Reductions

Bimbo Bakeries equipped 84 delivery trucks with propane autogas fuel technology to accomplish corporate environmental goals and reduce total operating costs in Chicago, Denver, and Washington, D.C.

The delivery trucks operate with a ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fueling system mounted to a Ford F-59 stripped chassis truck.

“Bimbo Bakeries USA introduced propane autogas vehicles into our Chicago, Denver, and Washington, D.C., regions to help accomplish our corporate environmental goals while lowering our bottom line,” said Gary Maresca, senior director of fleet services for Bimbo Bakeries USA (BBU).

Each new propane autogas fueled delivery truck will cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 192,000 pounds compared to gasoline, which equals 16.1 million fewer pounds over the lifetime of the fleet.

Along with environmental benefits, BBU selected propane autogas trucks for their low up-front costs, minimal impact to operations, and stability of fuel costs.

Thirty units began operating from the company’s Chicago-area location in January 2016, and 27 units are now operating from its Denver-area office, with the remaining 27 units serving the Washington, D.C., region.

The alternative-fueled trucks work as route vehicles delivering Bimbo Bakeries products, such as Thomas’, Oroweat, Entenmann’s, and Sara Lee, to retail locations.

The fleet installed on-site fueling stations at each location, eliminating the need to refill at retail stations.