CN will launch EcoRide in April, the first environmentally friendly container chassis in the North American intermodal industry.

It is expected to reduce fuel consumption in CN's trucking of containers to and from its intermodal terminals by eight to 10 percent.

The EcoRide chassis, developed in collaboration with a Canadian supplier, is equipped with a series of features that reduce fuel consumption, hence greenhouse gas emissions: side skirts to reduce aerodynamic drag, a weight 15 percent less than conventional CN chassis, and low-rolling resistance tires on each axle instead of the normal four tires per axle. CN will debut this new chassis in Ontario.

"CN stands for innovation and is continuously looking for ways to reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint," says Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN executive vice-president and chief marketing officer. "After the successful launch last year of EcoTherm, our new greener insulated container, the CN team started to explore other opportunities to provide customers better supply chain solutions that reduce carbon emissions.

"CN's next steps in environmental innovation will include testing hybrid container cranes, in-terminal hybrid trucks, and energy efficient generators. CN is deploying the hybrid shunt trucks in ground switching of containers on chassis at our Brampton Intermodal Terminal this month."

More info: www.cn.ca