USA: Ryder Opens Its First Natural Gas Vehicle Maintenance Facility

Ryder System, Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its first natural gas vehicle maintenance facility and took an initial delivery of natural gas vehicles in Southern California on Wednesday.

The celebration took place at Ryder’s Rancho Dominguez commercial truck rental, leasing, and maintenance facility, located at 1980 East University Drive in Rancho Dominguez. The opening of the Rancho Dominguez facility marks the first facility completed under the Ryder/SANBAG Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) project, a $38.7 million project funded as part of a joint public/private industry partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission, and Ryder System, Inc. Located in an industrialized region of Eastern Los Angeles County, the modified Ryder Rancho Dominguez facility now meets stringent industry and government safety standards for natural gas maintenance including upgrades of electrical, lighting, air handling and ventilation systems.

When fully implemented, the Ryder/SANBAG project will include two natural gas fuelling stations and three maintenance facilities – the one at Rancho Dominguez and two additional Ryder locations in the City of Orange in Orange County and Fontana in San Bernardino County. As part of the Ryder/SANBAG project, Ryder will deploy a total of 202 heavy-duty natural gas vehicles in the region. The vehicles include 182 Freightliner M2-112 tractors featuring the Cummins ISL-G engine, in both single-axle and tandem-axel day cab configurations, as well as a mix of other natural gas truck platforms. At completion, the Ryder/SANBAG project will displace more than 1.5 million gallons of diesel annually with 100 percent domestically produced low-carbon natural gas.

“The completion of Rancho Dominguez as a natural gas-compliant maintenance facility is a critical milestone demonstrating Ryder’s commitment to alternative fuel vehicle use,” stated Robert Sanchez, President, Global Fleet Management Solutions for Ryder. “We are excited that Ryder customers will now be able to start taking advantage of this cost-effective and clean alternative energy source.”

“The Ryder/SANBAG project represents a tremendous opportunity to introduce our 1,200 commercial customers in Southern California to a new innovative, efficient, and environmentally-sound fleet solution,” said Alex Madrinkian, Vice President of Sales for Ryder’s West Region. “We see a great deal of interest from customers and prospects in the region that are looking to integrate natural gas technology into their fleets.”

Ryder executives were joined by customers; project partners San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), U.S. Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission (CEC), and Gladstein, Neandross & Associates (GNA); and key members of stakeholder groups at the ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating the the opening of Ryder’s first facility modified for the indoor servicing of natural gas vehicles and the initial delivery of heavy-duty natural gas vehicles. By the end of May there will be approximately 70 heavy-duty natural gas vehicles domiciled at the Rancho Dominguez facility.

The ribbon cutting ceremony featured remarks from the various project partners and government agencies that have supported and provided funding for the Ryder/SANBAG NGV project since its inception in 2009. Speakers included.

– Alex Madrinkian, Vice President of Sales, Ryder System, Inc.;

– Scott Perry, Group Director of Vehicle Supply Management, Ryder System, Inc.;

– Larry McCallon, SANBAG Vice-President and Southern California Association of Governments President;

– Dennis Smith, National Clean Cities Director, U.S. Department of Energy;

– Peter Ward, Alternative Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, California Energy Commission;

– Erik Neandross, Chief Executive Officer, Gladstein, Neandross & Associates.

“With 202 new heavy-duty natural gas trucks being deployed across three locations, and with the construction of two publicly accessible natural gas fueling stations, this project will allow for the continued growth of ultra low emission natural gas vehicles throughout Southern California, contributing to improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a lessened dependence upon petroleum fuels for transportation,” said SANBAG President and San Bernardino County First District Supervisor, Brad Mitzelfelt.

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Source: Ryder System, May 6, 2011;