Environmental stewardship is just one reason Nestlé Waters North America is adding more than 150 medium-duty beverage delivery trucks fueled by propane autogas—but it’s a big motivation. Over the vehicles’ lifetime, the 155 Ford F-650 trucks will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 24.6 million pounds. The new units are being deployed in April. Nestlé propane trucks make deliveries to customers across the country, including Los Angeles;
San Francisco; Washington, D.C.; Milwaukee, Wis.; and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Deployments in 2016 will include New York City, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.

“Becoming a better steward of our environment is a priority for Nestlé Waters,” said Bill Ardis, national fleet manager, speaking at the NTEA Work Truck Show. “We’ve been running propane autogas vehicles since 2014. Because of the proven emissions reductions and cost savings, we knew it was the right choice to expand our fleet with this domestically produced alternative fuel.”

The new medium-duty delivery trucks, added to the company’s existing autogas fleet of 30 Ford trucks of the same model, and will also help the company save on maintenance and fuel costs. “Autogas allows us to operate without compromising standard delivery methods and reduce operational costs,” Ardis said. “Customers have already noticed that our trucks operating on autogas are quieter and cleaner.”

Propane autogas costs the company an average of $1 per gallon versus $2 for diesel. Each delivery truck is equipped with a California Air Resources Board- and Environmental Protection Agency-compliant Roush CleanTech autogas fuel system with a 45-usable-gallon fuel tank. Mickey Body in High Point, N.C. upfitted the vehicles with side-load beverage bays. “Fueling beverage delivery trucks with propane autogas offers the best total cost of ownership,” said Todd Mouw, Roush CleanTech’s vice president of sales and marketing. “By choosing this safe, abundant, and American-made fuel, fleets around the nation have reduced operating costs and lowered their carbon footprint.”