Nov 16, 2012 8:41 AM

Ryder System Inc (NYSE:R) has achieved a significant milestone with its fleet of 250 natural gas vehicles surpassing six million miles.

The fleet consists of 35 liquefied natural gas and 215 compressed natural gas tractors, currently running in 32 customer operations in California, Arizona, and Michigan. Since deploying its natural gas truck program in 2011, the vehicles have replaced approximately 923,000 gallons of diesel fuel with domestically produced natural gas and reduced emissions by more than 2,300 MTCO2e (metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions).

“Ryder is uniquely positioned to help the alternative fuel vehicle industry reach critical mass,” said Greg Swienton, chairman and chief executive officer of Ryder. “Our commercial rental and leasing model enables businesses to take advantage of these new technologies with less downtime and other risks associated with ownership. We will continue to help businesses jump-start their alternative fuel programs with innovative solutions that drive both environmental and cost-saving benefits.”

Customers can tap into Ryder’s North American infrastructure, along with its trained technicians, and experience to ensure the safe operation, maintenance, and fueling of natural gas vehicles. Ryder’s alternative fuels sales team can also help advise businesses determine which vehicle con

Besides offering natural gas vehicles for rent or lease, Ryder’s “Flex-to-Green Lease” system is designed to ease the transition to a greener fleet. Businesses opting for the Flex-to-Green Lease start out with a diesel-powered vehicle and have the option to convert to a natural gas vehicle after one year. Flex-to-Green customers enjoy all the maintenance and service benefits of a standard Ryder full-service lease.

Ryder became the first outsourced fleet provider to offer heavy-duty natural gas vehicles for leasing and rental through a natural gas vehicle project with the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) in Southern California. Ryder’s partnership with SANBAG and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Clean Cities Coalition includes deployment of 202 heavy-duty natural gas-powered vehicles, available for rent or lease or through Ryder’s dedicated logistics services. As part of the project, Ryder is building two natural gas fueling stations and has equipped three maintenance facilities for indoor servicing of natural gas vehicles in Fontana, Orange, and Rancho Dominguez CA. The $38.7 million project is being funded as part of a joint public/private industry partnership of the US Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission, and Ryder

For more details, visit www.ryder.com/alternativefuels.