For the past decade, Food Express has been leading the way with natural gas-powered tractors. Kevin Keeney, the company’s president, explained that clean technology fits perfectly into their plans for reducing environmental impact. The financial benefits of switching to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines were also a big draw.
When Food Express first explored natural gas vehicles, California offered grants to help offset the higher costs. This made buying natural gas tractors comparable to investing in new diesel ones. Keeney highlighted that while diesel fuel has a slight energy edge, natural gas is usually cheaper and much more stable in price. Plus, running low engine RPMs helps reduce costly maintenance related to emissions systems, making CNG an efficient choice.
Today, Food Express operates 94 CNG tractors, primarily Kenworth T680s with 12-liter Cummins engines. Keeney is excited about incorporating the new Cummins X15N engine into their fleet, which has shown promising results in early testing.
The 500-horsepower Cummins X15N engine offers better fuel economy—up to 10% more than the previous model. It’s designed for heavy loads, making it a perfect fit for Food Express, which often carries weights of up to 105,500 lbs.
Food Express’s CNG tractors hold about 90 diesel gallon equivalents, providing sufficient range for their transportation needs. Although drivers may feel anxious as fuel levels drop, they typically have enough range to complete their routes.
Keeney expresses satisfaction with their fuel systems too. They use Hexagon Agility systems, which are mounted to the vehicle frame. This innovative design avoids the need for back-of-cab tanks. The collaboration with Agility has improved fuel technology significantly over time.
Another key partner is Clean Energy Fuels Corp., which provides the fleet with renewable natural gas (RNG). This sustainable fuel is made from organic waste, providing a net carbon-negative rating when used in Food Express’s trucks. Keeney noted that adopting RNG has been beneficial for the company’s environmental impact. The partnership began in 2015 when they transitioned to natural gas tractors.
Founded in 1983, Food Express initially focused on transporting bulk corn starch but has since expanded its operations to include various dry and liquid bulk products. They now have 225 Kenworth and Peterbilt tractors along with 450 bulk and tank trailers. Keeney emphasized their commitment to sustainability has remained constant over the years.
As for the future, Keeney is looking at the development of hydrogen-powered and electric heavy-duty trucks. He mentions the challenge of weight — losing even 10,000 lbs. in payload could necessitate more vehicles and drivers to accomplish the same delivery. Keeney believes in finding truly sustainable options, noting that while CNG is a refined fuel, it is currently one of the best choices available.
Overall, Food Express stands out in the bulk transportation industry by blending innovation and sustainability. Their proactive approach is not only driving business growth but also contributing positively to environmental efforts.
Check out this related article: USDA Cuts Funding for Local Food Programs: What It Means for Schools and Food Banks
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