Working with NW Natural, three fleet operators try CNG and see positive results
Realizing that many drivers have never experienced the power of a compressed natural gas vehicle, NW Natural decided to offer the chance—free of charge.
The Portland, Oregon-based utility recently teamed up with Hyliion Holdings Corp. to make a CNG-electric hybrid Cascadia day cab tractor available at no cost to three fleet operators seeking low-emission, cost-saving alternatives to diesel.
“We found that customers were hesitant to jump feet-first into moving away from diesel; many of them had never driven a CNG vehicle, and others had outdated information as to how the technology performed,” Chris Kroeker, business development segment manager, NW Natural, told American Gas. “Our free-of-charge truck program gave them the chance to try out the vehicles in their operations to see how they worked and to make more informed decisions with no financial risk.”
Tests under challenging conditions were conducted by drivers at Baker Rock Resources, a family-owned business that provides construction and landscaping materials; Tillamook County Creamery Association, which transports dairy products to customers across Oregon; and CalPortland, a multistate operation that produces and delivers cement, concrete and other construction materials. The trucks were able to haul full loads up steep hills with ample power and carry 86,000 pounds along winding two-lane highways, proving that CNG can deliver for fleets across the board in the areas of power, sustainability and fuel efficiency, the utility reported.
“With commercial vehicles, risk is a major component in decision-making. Showing customers that they can not only reduce emissions and fuel costs with natural gas vehicles but that they can do it without impacting up-time was critical,” Kroeker said.
Hyliion’s e-axle, a self-charging powertrain to boost the performance of CNG vehicles, adds up to 120 horsepower to a Class 8, 12-liter CNG semi-truck—enough to pull more than 100,000 pounds uphill with performance comparable to diesels, according to the company. Onboard Dynamics of Bend, Oregon, offered program participants the use of its mobile CNG fueling station for on-site refueling.
“The Hyliion hybrid technology really impressed our customers, especially on the steep grades,” Kroeker said. “It really does provide the benefits of an electrified drive-train with the low emissions, fuel costs and technology maturity of the natural gas engine.”
CNG technology offers many advantages to companies focused on environmental quality and operating costs of their fleets, including fewer air pollutants emitted, a lower carbon footprint and operating savings, NW Natural said.