Ryder System Inc. announced today that Blu, an operator of liquefied natural gas refueling stations and provider of LNG technology solutions, has selected Ryder to provide LNG vehicles for Blu fleets in Utah and Georgia.

This represents the first time Ryder has partnered with a fuel station operator to launch a natural gas vehicle offering.

Blu has signed a Full Service Lease agreement with Ryder for 30 LNG tractors in Salt Lake City, Utah, and 25 LNG tractors in Atlanta, Ga., as part of an effort to increase adoption of natural gas vehicles among commercial fleets in those markets. These are Ryder’s first natural gas vehicle projects in Utah and Georgia. 

With a Full Service Lease, Ryder acquires vehicles according to customers’ specifications, and provides financing, maintenance and value-added fleet support services, and then manages vehicle disposal to protect customers from residual risk.

Blu began to take delivery of vehicles in September for its Salt Lake City fleet and will take delivery of vehicles for its Atlanta fleet in January. Blu will make natural gas vehicles available to companies in these markets that are interested in testing the LNG trucks in their fleets for a first-hand opportunity to measure the results and savings that come from adopting a lower-cost fuel. 

Ryder is making investments to upgrade its existing maintenance facilities, one in Salt Lake City and one at its Fulton Industrial Center location outside of Atlanta, to meet the unique specifications required to service natural gas vehicles.

Ryder and Blu have also entered into an agreement to jointly provide LNG fueling infrastructure at key Ryder facilities.  The Fulton Industrial Center location will be the first of these co-located stations, supporting Ryder’s contract customers and will accept all major fleet cards.