Anheuser-Busch has replaced all 97 diesel-fueled tractors in its St. Louis fleet with new compressed natural gas (CNG)-fueled tractors, the brewing company announced.

By transitioning to CNG technology, Anheuser-Busch expects to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,500 tons per year.

The St. Louis announcement marks Anheuser-Busch’s second full brewery fleet transition, following last year’s replacement of 66 tractors in Houston. Approximately 30 percent of Anheuser-Busch’s heavy-haul dedicated tractors now run on cleaner-burning natural gas, according to the company.

Using advanced engine technologies, the company anticipates a 23 percent reduction in greenhouse gases compared to conventional diesel equipment, the equivalent of taking approximately 526 passenger vehicles off the road.

The new, Freightliner-produced, natural gas-fueled tractors will be filled at a recently opened CNG station operated by U.S. Gain, near the St. Louis brewery. Amerit will provide maintenance support at a nearby facility, recently retrofitted to accommodate the new CNG fleet. J.B. Hunt will continue to manage Anheuser-Busch’s St. Louis dedicated fleet of tractors and drivers. Agility will provide the new CNG fleet with logistical support and Element will oversee tractor leasing.

Anheuser-Busch's St. Louis CNG fleet conversion furthers the company's global initiative to reduce logistics-related carbon emissions by 15 percent through 2017. Parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev has made similar fleet conversions in China, Europe and Brazil as part of an effort to reduce carbon emissions globally across facilities.