Green Fleet Briefing: Pacer, Peterbilt, Golden Eagle, Toyota Prius

Pacer International is adding 300 liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks to its Southern California fleet.

The trucks will operate through Pacer’s cartage subsidiary, Pacer Cartage, Inc, Fleet Owner reports. The website says that LNG-powered trucks are estimated to produce 33% less nitrogen oxides and 20% less greenhouse gas emissions than diesel-fueled trucks.

Meanwhile, Peterbilt Motors says that its Model 386 liquefied natural gas truck is the first alternative fueled vehicle to be certified by the EPA’s SmartWay program, Fleet Owner reports.

The 386 LNG truck can handle line, bulk, and tanker hauling. It includes roof and chassis fairings designed to improve the flow of air over and around the cab, trailer, tires and wheels, as well as a transition fairing between cab and sleeper – which the company says is a Peterbilt exclusive.

Peterbilt’s Model 587, Model 386, and Model 384 are also SmartWay- designated vehicles.

Golden Eagle Distributors has taken delivery of its first compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet vehicle (pictured). Golden Eagle, in partnership with Ryder System, is converting all 23 of its heavy duty vehicles in Tucson to Compressed Natural Gas vehicles by the end of 2011. The company says that according to the Department of Energy, CNG vehicles produce 95% less particulate matter, 80% less nitrogen oxide, and provide a reduction of 23% in greenhouse gas emissions when compared to diesel engines,

Golden Eagle plans to eventually convert all fleet vehicles to CNG in its six branch operations throughout Arizona. Then light duty passenger vehicles will be changed over to CNG in each branch. To service its CNG fleet, Golden Eagle is working toward opening its own CNG fuel stations in Tucson and then at several other branch locations including Casa Grande and Buckeye.

Golden Eagle Distributors, Inc. has been the exclusive distributor of Anheuser-Busch products, as well as other craft beers and imports, across most of Arizona since its founding in 1974.

Finally, Toyota has unveiled new models and pricing for its iconic Prius family of hybrid cars. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid carries a $32,000 sticker price but will cost less than $30,000 after a federal tax credit, Cnet reports. A higher-end Advanced trim model will cost $39,525.

Toyota also unveiled the Prius V, a larger version of the original Prius, with mileage 7 miles per gallon less at 42 mpg. The V will cost between $26,400 and $29,990.