Freightliner Trucks and Saddle Creek Logistics Services have jointly developed a new Freightliner Cascadia 113-in. BBC day cab with natural gas (NG) technology featuring advanced aerodynamics. Saddle Creek has ordered the first 10 of the vehicles, outfitted with a 120-gal. fuel system. When complete, this will mark the first time a natural gas system will be fully enclosed behind the side and back of cab aerodynamic fairings.
The Lakeland, Fla.-based third-party logistics company already has more than 100 Freightliner compressed natural gas (CNG) tractors in its fleet of 430 vehicles, making it the largest CNG over-the-road tractor fleet in operation in the country. The additional 10 tractors will be used for truckload operations in the southeastern United States. The company expects to order 90 additional natural gas trucks once testing is completed later this year.
Powered by the Cummins Westport ISX 12 G heavy-duty natural gas engine with ratings up to 400 HP and 1,450 lb.-ft. torque, Saddle Creek’s Cascadia CNG tractors will include a fully-enclosed back cabinet behind the vehicle’s aerodynamics package. The placement of the tanks will further enhance the sleek exterior, which helps reduce drag and maximize payload.
"Our new tractors are the first of their kind with this aerodynamic fuel efficient design. We worked closely with Freightliner engineers and Agility Fuel Systems to design this system," said Mike DelBovo, president of Saddle Creek Transportation. "We have been able to provide our customers with remarkable benefits with each generation of our existing Freightliner CNG tractors, and we look forward to bringing them even better results with this latest tractor."
According to DelBovo, his Freightliner M2 112 CNG tractors have achieved more than 600 mi. per fill. He expects his new Cascadia CNG tractors to achieve at least 700 mi. per fill.
Saddle Creek is committed to environmentally-friendly solutions such as CNG to minimize its carbon footprint and support the sustainability efforts of its customers. Because the natural gas infrastructure is limited, Saddle Creek has built its own fueling station at its Lakeland headquarters.
"Partnering with a company like Saddle Creek allows us to continue to push the envelope when it comes to offering innovative sustainable solutions," said Robert Carrick, sales manager – natural gas, for Freightliner Trucks. "Together with Saddle Creek and Agility Fuel Systems, we have developed the next generation in clean technology with improved aerodynamics that will move the industry in a new direction."
The Freightliner Cascadia 113 natural gas day cab offers the same performance and versatile benefits of the popular Cascadia tractor, with the incorporation of cheaper, cleaner burning natural gas fuel. Full start of production on all Cascadia 113 natural gas-powered day cabs will begin in August 2013.
Freightliner Trucks’ commitment to green technologies is part of parent company Daimler AG’s global Shaping Future Transportation initiative. Launched in 2007, the initiative focuses on reducing criteria pollutants, carbon dioxide and fuel consumption.
