DeKalb County, Ga., has ordered 24 Freightliner Business Class M2 112 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks. The county will use the CNG trucks for sanitation and maintenance applications.


DeKalb County -- considered one of the greenest counties in America -- will power the new trucks using its methane gas-to-energy process. The program, which was launched in 2011, converts landfill waste to useable natural gas. By converting the waste to energy, DeKalb County produces enough electricity to run 2,500 homes and will produce enough natural gas to run 600 trucks.

To support the gas-to-energy program, DeKalb County is also building two fueling stations -- enhancing the natural gas infrastructure for both passenger cars and trucks.

"We take environmental responsibility very seriously, and we are very proud of all our green initiatives," said Robert Gordon, fleet service superintendent, DeKalb County fleet management division. "That's why, when we decided to take the next step and green our fleet, we turned to Freightliner Trucks."

The Freightliner M2 112 CNG is powered by the Cummins Westport ISL G 8.9 liter natural gas engine. Featuring a maintenance-free three way catalyst, and no diesel particulate filter or regeneration required, the ISL G also lowers overall cost of operations.

DeKalb County will take delivery of its new M2 112 CNG trucks in late 2011.