Bimbo Bakeries USA has added 84 propane autogas-fueled trucks to deliver its bread and baked goods in Chicago, Denver, and Washington, D.C., vehicle modifier ROUSH CleanTech announced at the Work Truck Show.

The delivery trucks operate with a ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fueling system mounted to a Ford F-59 stripped chassis truck. Bimbo began adding the trucks to its fleet in January.

"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 for BBU. “This initiative is the latest in our company’s continued effort to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Each new propane 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.
Along with environmental benefits, BBU selected propane autogas trucks for their low up-front costs, minimal impact to operations, and stability of fuel costs.

In January, 30 units began operating from the company’s Chicago-area location, and 27 units began operating from its Denver-area office. The remaining 27 units that will serve the Washington, D.C., region will begin making deliveries this month. These alternative fueled trucks work as route vehicles delivering Bimbo Bakeries products, such as Thomas’, Oroweat, Entenmann’s and Sara Lee, to retail locations.

"We helped train their technicians on the specifics of servicing our propane autogas Ford F-59 trucks," said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. "These professionals are already familiar with Ford products and value the factory warranty that stands behind each ROUSH CleanTech vehicle."

The fleet installed on-site fueling stations at each location, which eliminates 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. The fleet tapped incentives in Colorado and Maryland to minimize the initial costs associated with alternative fuel technologies.