January 26, 2012

Con-way Freight to test CNG-powered vehicles

First two trucks to hit the road in Chicago by mid-year.

By Mark B. Solomon

Con-way Freight, the less-than-truckload (LTL) arm of trucking and logistics giant Con-way Inc., will launch a pilot program in the spring to operate two vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), according to one of the parent company's top executives.

The company plans to take delivery of the vehicles in the second quarter and initially deploy them in the Chicago area for local pickups and deliveries, said Randy Mullett, vice president, government relations and public affairs for Con-way Inc., the parent of Con-way Freight.

Mullett said the company chose Chicago as the test venue because there are CNG fueling locations near Con-way Freight's facilities there.

If Con-way Freight deems the pilot to be effective, the vehicles' operations could be expanded to provide over-the-road LTL service within a 300- to 350-mile distance, Mullett said. Con-way would also consider adding more CNG-powered vehicles if the test phase is successful, according to Mullett.

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