Beverage Distributor Rolls Out its First Natural Gas Delivery Trucks in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor
GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ) -- Great Lakes Wines and Spirits is rolling out its first compressed natural gas trucks.
GLWAS' two new 20-foot refrigerated trucks will deliver wines and spirits in the Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor areas starting this week.
"As a company committed to investing in Michigan, Great Lakes Wines and Spirits is modernizing our delivery fleet so we can better serve our customers while reducing costs, reining in dangerous emissions and improving our energy independence," said Syd Ross, co-owner of GLWAS. "These two trucks are a critical step in our effort to increase our efficiency and rein in costs at a time when all businesses are working hard to conserve energy. These trucks can help our company and Michigan pave the way to a stronger future for our economy and for the next generation."
GLWAS' new trucks are more fuel-efficient than diesel trucks, with fuel for the CNG vehicles costing $2.40 per gallon, compared with around $3.80 per gallon for diesel. Furthermore, natural gas significantly cuts dangerous emissions: GLWS will see an annual reduction of 14 tons of greenhouse gas emissions for a 24.9-percent reduction over using diesel. In addition, natural gas is abundant domestically, reducing the need to import fossil fuel from abroad.
Each new GLWAS CNG truck has a Freightliner cab/chassis, and a Morgan box with a Supra 550 Carrier refrigeration unit capable of carrying about 450 cases of wines and spirits.
Slated to deliver products in downtown Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, the new CNG trucks will fuel at Meijer store No. 64 while the Grand Rapids truck will fuel at Padnos/DTE in Wyoming.
GLWAS is based in Highland Park and Detroit, and distributes wines, spirits and beer throughout the state. With more than 800 employees, GLWAS also has distribution and operation centers in Bay City, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Petoskey, Gaylord and Marquette. The company serves more than 17,000 customers, including restaurants, retailers and taverns statewide. For more information, visit http://www.glwas.com/
