Ryder Natural Gas Vehicles Touchdown in Georgia, Bringing Sustainable Solutions to Mansfield, the Nation’s Largest Provider of Delivered Transportation Fuels

Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a leader in commercial fleet management and supply chain solutions, today announced that Mansfield has taken delivery of 12 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles that will be used for bulk fuel hauling from fuel terminals to the company’s customers in and around the metro-Atlanta, Ga. area. Mansfield, a proven leader in the transportation fuels sector for over 57 years, elected to lease the CNG vehicles from Ryder because of the potential fuel cost savings and environmental benefits of transitioning from diesel to CNG. Ryder will provide maintenance to the natural gas fleet from its facility in Atlanta, Ga.

One of the 12 Ryder compressed natural gas vehicles that Mansfield has added to its bulk fuel hauling fleet. (Photo: Business Wire)

“We chose to lease our CNG vehicles from Ryder because the compelling value proposition resulted in better savings than if we chose to purchase the vehicles directly,” said Michael Mansfield, CEO of Mansfield. “The selection process was a very easy one. Ryder’s Full Service Lease solution, which includes extensive experience in natural gas vehicle maintenance, allowed us to mitigate many concerns that are common among fleets transitioning from diesel to this advanced fuel technology. We also wanted a partner that would scale with this effort into many more markets across the country as we work with our 900+ common carriers on adopting natural gas for their fleets. Ryder is uniquely qualified to meet that need.”

Bulk fuel hauling return-to-base operations, like Mansfield’s, are an application ideally suited for natural gas vehicles. The high annual mileage delivery routes will speed Mansfield’s return on investment on a natural gas vehicle based on natural gas fuel cost savings as compared to diesel. Ryder also worked with Mansfield to develop a customized truck specification that was weight-sensitive to maximize freight revenue while assuring durability and operability in the field.

Ryder recently announced a strategic alliance with Mansfield Clean Energy Partners, a joint venture founded by Mansfield Energy Corp., Clean Energy Fuels (NASDAQ: CLNE), to bring natural gas vehicles and fueling to bulk fuel haulers. The trucks will be fueled at a CNG station built by Mansfield Clean Energy Partners, located in a fuel terminal complex in Doraville, Ga., just north of Atlanta. The companies have also worked collaboratively with tractor and engine manufacturers to develop an optimized CNG vehicle design specifically for bulk fuel hauling applications.

“Ryder is proud to be working with Mansfield to bring the environmental and cost saving benefits of natural gas to a critical sector of the transportation industry,” said Dennis Cooke, President, Global Fleet Management Solutions for Ryder. “We are committed to leveraging our experience and expertise to help further the adoption of this clean, efficient, abundant, and domestic advanced fuel.”

With more than 27 million miles of experience, 14 natural gas vehicle maintenance facilities, and 260 natural gas vehicle trained technicians, Ryder is the industry-leader in natural gas vehicle solutions for the commercial transportation market.

The oil & gas industry relies on Ryder to take costs and risks out of transportation and logistics, enabling customers to maximize uptime, keep supplies and goods moving, and bring costs down. This is all supported by a proven health and safety culture. Ryder turns a complicated supply chain into a company’s strategic competitive edge, from the oilfield to the marketplace.

About Ryder

Ryder is a FORTUNE 500® commercial fleet management and supply chain solutions company. Ryder’s stock (NYSE:R) is a component of the Dow Jones Transportation Average and the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Inbound Logistics magazine has included Ryder in its “Green Partners” listing for five years in a row. Ryder is a charter member of the NGV Fleet Forum and a member of the Department of Energy’s National Clean Fleets partnership. Ryder is also a recipient of the 2011 NGV Achievement Award. A member of the American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, Ryder is proud to support national and local disaster preparedness and response efforts. For more information, visit www.ryder.com and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

About Mansfield

Ranked as one of the Top 50 privately held companies in America by Forbes magazine and a multiple category finalist in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Platts Global Energy Awards, Mansfield defines the next generation transportation fuels company. Founded in 1957, the company has achieved double-digit growth for three decades by focusing on optimizing and controlling fuel-related costs for its customers using innovation, technology and high touch service. Mansfield’s corporate headquarters is located in Gainesville, GA, with regional operations centers located in Mark Illinois, Detroit, Denver, Loma Linda California, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, Calgary and renewable energy operations in Bloomington, MN.

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