Bimbo Bakeries Deploys Autogas Delivery Trucks

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Bimbo Bakeries USA (Horsham, Pa.) is delivering its bread and baked goods in vehicles fueled by emissions-reducing, domestically produced propane autogas. The company’s 84 new Ford F-59 trucks, equipped with Roush CleanTech fuel technology, operate in three of the company’s major markets. “Bimbo Bakeries USA introduced propane autogas vehicles into our Chicago, Denver, and Washington, D.C. regions to help accomplish our corporate environmental goals while lowering our bottom line,” said Gary Maresca, senior director of fleet services at Bimbo. “This initiative is the latest in our company’s continued effort to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Each new autogas-fueled delivery truck will cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 192,000 pounds compared to gasoline. That equals 16.1 million fewer pounds over the lifetime of the fleet. In January, 30 units began operating from the company’s Chicago-area location, and 27 began operating from the Denver office. The remaining 27 units that will serve the Washington, D.C. region began making deliveries in March. The alternative fuel trucks serve as route vehicles, delivering Bimbo Bakeries’ products such as Thomas’, Oroweat, Entenmann’s, and Sara Lee to retail locations.

“Bimbo Bakeries seamlessly integrated our fuel system technology into three of its key markets,” said Todd Mouw, Roush CleanTech vice president of sales and marketing. “We helped train their technicians on the specifics of servicing our propane autogas Ford F-59 trucks. These professionals are already familiar with Ford products and value the factory warranty that stands behind each Roush CleanTech vehicle.”

Bimbo Bakeries installed on-site fueling stations at each location, eliminating the need to refill at retail stations. Maresca expects to see a reduction in operational costs as a result of the lower fuel prices, as well as maintenance savings due to the cleaner-burning properties of the fuel. Currently, the company pays about $1.30 per gallon of propane autogas compared to $1.80 for gasoline. This cost rolls in the expense of the refueling infrastructure. Bimbo tapped incentives in both Colorado and Maryland to minimize the initial costs associated with alternative fuel technologies.

“Whenever an established industry leader like Bimbo Bakeries USA chooses to operate a large fleet of delivery vehicles with propane autogas over other fuel options, it’s a big deal,” said Tucker Perkins, chief business development officer at the Propane Education & Research Council. “Propane autogas vehicles are proven to reduce emissions and offer the lowest total cost of ownership of any fuel option for fleets, and we’re thrilled that Bimbo Bakeries USA recognizes that.”

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