Fiat Chrysler Trucks Making Transition to Natural Gas

Agility Fuel Systems, a leading developer and manufacturer of natural gas fuel systems for heavy duty vehicles in North America, participated in the launch of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) inter-company truck fleet transition to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

As part of the process, FCA announced a $40 million investment to deploy 179 “class 8” parts hauling trucks from diesel to compressed natural gas (CNG).

Noted Steve Beahm, FCA US senior vice president of Supply Chain Management, FCA – North America, “This project was a win-win-win – it offered a solid business case, clear environmental benefits and an opportunity to invest in our Detroit facility and workforce.”

Prior to the changeover, the FCA Transport Detroit fleet used nearly 2.6 million gallons of diesel fuel per year while driving about 16 million miles to deliver parts to assembly plants from suppliers and FCA US component facilities. The company expects to experience net fuel cost savings of about 35 percent per year with the CNG-powered fleet.

Beyond cost savings, FCA Transport estimates the Detroit fleet’s transition to CNG will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 16,000 tons per year. This decrease is equivalent to the annual carbon dioxide emissions that come from burning more than 17 million pounds of coal, or the reduction of CO2 emissions from the annual energy use of nearly 1,500 homes.

“Today is the culmination of two years of research and planning, an extensive pilot program of CNG trucks and ongoing training of more than 6,000 hours,” said Marty DiFiore, Head of FCA Transport and Auto Transport Services, FCA US.

Category: Featured, General Update, Green