USA: C. R. England Leases Kenworth LNG Tractors from PacLease

C.R. England Dedicated, a division of the nation’s largest temperature controlled carrier C.R. England, Inc., and PACCAR Leasing Company (PacLease) announced that they have entered into a full-service lease agreement on new Kenworth T800 tandem axle day cab tractors powered with the Westport GX 15-liter LNG engine.

C.R. England Dedicated will operate this new equipment in an existing dedicated operation on routes between Ontario, Calif. and Las Vegas, Nev. The LNG-powered tractors are expected to go into service this summer.

“We are extremely pleased to obtain new Kenworth LNG-powered equipment from PacLease. C.R. England Dedicated is raising the bar on what it means to be a ‘green’ carrier,” said Kirk Freimuth, vice president of C.R. England Dedicated. “In addition to deploying new 2010 emissions technology, the latest aerodynamic equipment, and telematics solutions to reduce fuel consumption and miles traveled, we made a conscious decision to further our environmental stewardship with natural gas-powered equipment. All of these initiatives will reduce our carbon footprint, improve air quality and reduce diesel fuel consumption in our operations.”

“PacLease is pleased to break new ground as the first full-service lessor to lease LNG-powered equipment to fleets in North America,” said Olen Hunter, PacLease director of sales. “We are excited to expand our growing relationship with C.R. England Dedicated as they continue to increase adoption of new and innovative technology. Their selection of liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered Kenworth T800 tractors, equipped with Westport HD GX power demonstrates their commitment to the environment and prudent business acumen as this world class LNG technology promises to be an excellent match for their duty cycle and performance requirements.”

The Kenworth T800 LNG-powered equipment, offered in various Class 8 tractor and straight truck configurations, are powering Kenworth’s industry leadership in providing environmentally friendly products. Kenworth offers the Kenworth T440 and Kenworth W900S LNG-powered and compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered models, in addition to the Kenworth T800 LNG model. Kenworth also offers other aerodynamic models such as the Kenworth T700 equipped with the PACCAR MX engine, which was named by the American Truck Dealers (ATD) as the 2011 Heavy Duty Commercial Truck of the Year, and the Kenworth T600. Kenworth is the only truck manufacturer to receive the EPA’s Clean Air Excellence award in recognition of its environmentally friendly products. Kenworth was also the first truck manufacturer to offer an LNG fuel system as a Class 8 factory-installed option.

The 15-liter, 450-hp Westport GX engine offers low-emissions performance while maintaining equal horsepower, torque and efficiency to diesel-fueled engines. A typical Class 8 truck using the cleaner burning LNG fuel may reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to an estimated 27 percent, compared to a diesel-fueled truck equipped with a 2010 emission-compliant engine.

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Source: PacLease, May 19, 2011;