UPS Switches to Renewable Natural Gas to Reduce Vehicle Emissions by 1.2 Million Metric Tons

UPS has stepped up its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions of its ubiquitous brown delivery fleet. According to an article by CNN Business, UPS will buy 170 million gallons of renewable natural gas (RNG)—also known as biomethane—“a fuel that is produced naturally from bio sources like landfills, dairy farms and wastewater treatment facilities."

UPS estimates that it will reduce its vehicles’ greenhouse gas emissions up to 1.2 million metric tons through 2026, which is equivalent to taking 228,000 cars off the road. The company currently operates more than 6,000 natural gas trucks in its fleet and projects that it will use 100 million gallons of RNG in 2019, according to the article.

“Since RNG is supported by existing national infrastructure used to transport natural gas, it’s a winning solution that will help UPS to reach our ambitious sustainability goals,” said Mike Casteel, UPS director of fleet procurement in a press release. “At the same time, we hope our unprecedented seven-year commitment serves as a catalyst for wider adoption of RNG by other companies.”