Baking & Snack - September 2016 - 188

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Right-sizing a fleet by
matching the right vehicle
to the appropriate route
will lead to efficiency and
sustainability in addition to
reduced cost of ownership.
Ram Commercial

systems for Ford trucks, vans and cutaways that are used
in the baking industry.
"We see propane autogas as a leading energy source to
help fleets move away from higher cost and more complex fuels such as diesel," Mr. Mauw noted. "The properties of propane make it a very attractive resource for
transportation: domestic supply, significantly cleaner,
high octane rating, great power and performance, lower
cost, easily transportable, low cost of infrastructure, and
great driving range, among others."
Grant funding available in certain areas is another incentive to use alternative fuels. BBU chose the Colorado
and Maryland markets for that very reason.
"Our strategy is to continue to pursue LPG opportunities wherever significant grant funds can be secured,"
Mr. Maresca said, noting that that the company has applied for grand funds to expand the existing operations
in Colorado and Maryland, along with new initiatives in
Pennsylvania and California.
Just as BBU is taking advantage of grant funds, bakery
fleet managers can take advantage of benefits including financial incentives by using alternative fuels. For example,
many companies install their own fueling infrastructure,
which not only allows for lower cost of fuel and a simpler
process but also potential tax incentives.
An incentive in the form of 50 cents on the gallon is
available for companies who sell compressed natural gas
(CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied hydrogen,
LPG and more.
Brian Tabel, executive director of marketing, Isuzu
Commercial Truck of America, suggested that companies
with their own private fueling stations have the opportunity to take advantage of that benefit, and it becomes a
win-win in the community. "Let's say a company invests
in a fueling station that its neighbors can also use. That
company has the ability to get the tax benefits as well as
the company using the fueling source," he said.

188 Baking & Snack September 2016 / www.bakingandsnack.com

"One of the advantages of LPG is the relatively low
cost of installing a filling station on-site and subsequent
maintenance of the vehicles that can be serviced in any
existing and approved gasoline maintenance garage with
minimal investment, if any, as per local fire ordinance,"
Mr. Maresca explained.

New ways to go green
When it comes to being sustainable - and cost-effective
- with fleets, it's all about knowing what the options
are, and that involves doing a bit of homework. One size
doesn't necessarily fit all, and the right solution may come
in a variety of ways.
For example, Isuzu offers two types of diesel engines
and a gasoline engine, in addition to CNG and LPG. Ten
years ago, fleets were outfitted with the same truck for
the whole route, no matter how many trucks were in the
fleet. "Once we came out of the downturn of the economy,
fleet managers looked at the business, and as it grew, they
'right-sized' their fleet," Mr. Tabel said. He suggested that
building a fleet with a combination of vehicles that meet
specific needs for specific areas, markets or routes is worth
considering. "Fleet managers have options. They're not
pigeon-holing themselves with one truck," he said. "They
have options to right-size the fleet to the right route."
Choice is a big factor driving the right-sizing trend,
according to Mr. Sowers. Just 10 years ago, that wasn't
necessarily the case. "For a lot of years, vans were all the
same. Body on frame, front engine, rear wheel drive,
most V8 engines," he suggested.
Bakers who used to purchase old trucks or the old formula of van can now buy vehicles such as the Promaster
City class 1 van, according to Mr. Sowers, because it has
1800 lb of payload and more than 130 cu ft of storage.
"And they can get 29 mpg when they're driving around
empty," he added.
Maintenance is another key to marrying environmen-

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Baking & Snack - September 2016

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