MENU
SEARCHRun on Less: Messy Middle participant UPS is expanding its renewable natural gas fleet to cut emissions and improve reliability in extreme climates.
A UPS compressed natural gas tractor refuels at the company’s Salt Lake City facility, where most of the regional fleet now runs on RNG to reduce emissions and improve operational consistency.
Photo: NACFE
UPS operates one of the largest and most diverse fleets in the world, with more than 325,000 vehicles, including 115,000 package delivery trucks in the U.S. For Run on Less – The Messy Middle, UPS is spotlighting its renewable natural gas (RNG) operations based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The company has committed to using alternative fuels to reduce emissions and increase operational efficiency across its global network.
The Wasatch Mountains around Salt Lake City create air-quality challenges by trapping emissions in the valley. To help reduce its environmental footprint, UPS has transitioned much of its regional fleet to compressed natural gas engines using renewable natural gas.
The decision to focus on RNG vehicles in Utah aligns with the company’s broader sustainability strategy to lower emissions while maintaining performance and reliability.
UPS has steadily grown its use of natural gas vehicles over the past several years. In Salt Lake City, the majority of the company’s tractors now operate on natural gas.
“With each new generation of CNG tractors, we’ve been able to expand our operations and increase efficiency," UPS Automotive Director of Maintenance Mike Backus explained in a NACFE Run on Less video.
"Today, about 65% of the trucks in our daily fleet run on natural gas.”
This local progress reflects a larger shift within the company to integrate advanced technologies and alternative fuels where they make the most sense operationally.
Operating in a region that experiences extreme weather, the company values the durability and reliability of its CNG vehicles. According to Backus, the trucks perform well even in cold temperatures.
“One advantage of the CNG trucks is their reliability in all climates," he said. "Whether in the freezing temperatures of Salt Lake City or the extreme heat of Phoenix, they start easily and run consistently without temperature-related issues — something we can’t always say for our diesel units.”
This reliability has helped UPS maintain consistent performance while transitioning away from conventional diesel.
Beyond emissions and fuel efficiency, the fleet’s drivers appreciate how the vehicles handle on the road. The lower noise levels and smoother ride create a better driving environment during long shifts.
The CNG trucks offer a noticeably smoother, quieter driving experience than traditional diesel vehicles. The reduced engine noise makes long hours on the road more comfortable, while improved steering responsiveness enhances ease of handling across a variety of driving conditions. Drivers also note that the overall ride feels more refined, with less vibration and noise in the cab, creating a more relaxed and efficient work environment during daily routes.
UPS’s use of renewable natural gas helps the company reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by capturing methane from landfills and other sources. RNG offers a practical pathway toward lower emissions while using existing natural gas infrastructure.
“As I am driving home and I see those alternative fuel vehicles out on the road, it makes me proud that the company I work for is making a difference,” said Michele Galloway, UPS automotive fleet manager.
That pride extends to the company’s ongoing participation in initiatives such as Run on Less – The Messy Middle, where UPS demonstrates how large fleets can implement scalable, real-world sustainability solutions.
The proposal doesn't change the tougher NOx standard, but it would revise key implementation requirements that manufacturers say have driven up costs and complicated fleet purchasing decisions.
Read More →
Updated diesel engine software gives truck operators more time to address emissions-system issues while staying compliant with EPA emissions standards.
Read More →
Biodiesel can reduce emissions, improve fuel-system lubricity and use existing diesel infrastructure. But NACFE’s Messy Middle maintenance report says fleets must actively manage storage, cold-weather operation, filters and oil drain intervals to avoid problems.
Read More →
Drive sustainable cost savings while increasing driver comfort during short- and long-haul logistics operations.
Read More →
NACFE's latest Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says renewable diesel gives fleets an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions without changing trucks, fueling infrastructure or maintenance practices. But technicians still need to understand several important operational differences.
Read More →
NACFE’s new Messy Middle Powertrain Service & Maintenance report says keeping modern diesel engines running now depends as much on software, diagnostics and data as traditional mechanical service.
Read More →
The changes reflect EPA guidance aimed at reducing downtime caused by emissions-system faults while maintaining compliance requirements.
Read More →
Questar analyzed a large mixed-class fleet and discovered it was wasting as much as $30 in fuel per vehicle, per day, because of mechanically degraded aftertreatment systems.
Read More →
Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.
Read More →
Practical advice on adopting alternative fuels and ZEVs from HDT's 2026 Top Green Fleets, from renewable diesel and natural gas to electric trucks.
Read More →
