These CNG tractors—the first of their kind used in Staples’ third party dedicated operations—will replace ten diesel tractors currently used by Ryder for Staples, and have been made available through Ryder’s natural gas vehicle project agreement with the San Bernardino Associated Governments (“SANBAG”) in Southern California.

The $38.7 million Ryder/SANBAG project is part of a public/private partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission, the Southern California Association of Governments Clean Cities Coalition, and Ryder. The project includes 202 natural gas vehicles, upgrades to three maintenance facilities for the proper servicing of natural gas vehicles, and the construction of two fueling stations.

The CNG tractors will be used to transport inventory to Staples stores in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and the Inland Empire, and will be serviced out of Ryder’s network of natural gas compliant maintenance facilities in Southern California.

According to Ryder, CNG vehicles produce 20 to 30% less emissions than comparable diesel vehicles, and natural gas costs as much as 42% less per equivalent gallon of diesel (based on current diesel fuel prices).