Ryder System has reached a long-term agreement with Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide to purchase compressed natural gas tank systems directly from Quantum for installation onto the company’s CNG-powered vehicles.

Ryder says it will be the first transportation company to use Quantum’s CNG systems on a national scale, “to help reduce costs and increase vehicle uptime for businesses that lease CNG trucks” from the company.

“Next to the limited commercial fuel infrastructure, the biggest barrier to the broad adoption of natural gas vehicles is the initial cost of the technology,” said Ryder President of Global Fleet Management Solutions, Dennis Cooke. “This relationship will help make compressed natural gas vehicles more affordable and reliable, so more businesses can take advantage of their environmental and efficiency benefits.”

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide offers natural gas storage systems, integration and vehicle system technologies.

Ryder’s natural gas fleet includes over 500 compressed and liquefied natural gas vehicles operating more than 20 million miles, and serving over 40 customers in California, New York, Texas, Arizona, Michigan, Utah, Georgia, and Louisiana. The company also operates two liquefied to compressed natural gas fuel stations at its maintenance facilities in Orange and Fontana, Calif.