CINCINNATI, May 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR) today announced that it will be the first in
Oregon to deploy a fleet of
heavy-duty trucks that run on Liquid Natural Gas (LNG). The 40
trucks will replace 40 diesel trucks currently in use, and are
expected to start making store deliveries in the Portland metropolitan area by the end of
2014.
The use of natural gas fuel not only reduces operating costs for
vehicles, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 23
percent in medium- to heavy-duty vehicles.
"This is the first step in Kroger's effort to transition our
fleet to alternative fuels," said Kevin
Dougherty, Kroger's group vice president and chief supply
chain officer. "Converting to LNG trucks will allow us to reinvest
savings into lower prices for our customers while also benefitting
the environment."
The trucks will make deliveries to about 50 Fred Meyer and QFC
stores as far south as Corvallis,
OR and as far north as Longview,
WA., averaging approximately 175 miles per day, six days a
week, 52 weeks a year. They are expected to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by approximately 755 metric tons per year, which equates
to removing approximately 159 passenger cars from the road
annually. The fleet will be fueled at a new, private LNG
fueling station at Kroger's Clackamas Distribution Center, which
will be designed and engineered by Clean Energy Fuels Corp.
(NASDAQ: CLNE).
"These trucks are nearly identical to our diesel fleet, which
allows us to have minimal impact on operations and still achieve
the same caliber and standard of performance," said Matt Hoffman, Kroger regional logistics
director, based in Portland. "They
are truly the prototype truck of the future – the safest, cleanest
and quietest way for our hard-working drivers to deliver product to
the stores."
More information about Kroger's transportation sustainability
efforts can be found at http://sustainability.kroger.com.
Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than
375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,640 supermarkets and
multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local
banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less,
Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs
and Smith's. The company also operates 786 convenience
stores, 320 fine jewelry stores, 1,240 supermarket fuel centers and
38 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as
the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger
relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families,
and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger
contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year
through more than 80 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader
in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion
Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million
Dollar Club.
SOURCE The Kroger Co.