SALMO, B.C. – B.C.-based Sutco Contracting has just added six new Kenworths to its fleet of 70 but these six are even greener than the usual forest shade of their other trucks.

They’re powered by Westport natural gas engines.

Chris Sutherland, Sutco’s president, commented: “The power is all there. I’ve been driving trucks for 20 years and I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at first, but when I got behind the wheel of the demo truck I was immediately impressed with the power and knew these trucks would be successful in their designated application.”

Thee tractors will be working in Sutco’s wood residuald fleet based out of Chilliwack, BC.

In December, Sutco’s VP Doug Sutherland told Today’s Trucking that they’re committed to innovation and reducing their carbon footprint and GHG emissions.

“Our company made the move to liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks and I think we were the fifth in Canada and the first with the Kenworth {Westport} 15 L engine. I think that’s important because that’s where the industry is going,” he said.

“Being from B.C., we need to support our own province, so we’re pulling the fuel from our own province and creating jobs,” he added.

Sutco said in a press release that there was a considerable upfront cost but that it was worth it.

“The initial capital cost of a LNG-powered tractor versus a traditional diesel-powered tractor was substantial and without the Natural Gas for Transportation Incentive Program from FortisBC it would have been very difficult for our organization to test this new technology,” Sutherland said.

Sutco worked with its partners FortisBC and Inland Kenworth to move their fleet into a greener direction and the carrier says they’re committed to natural gas technology and will continue to expand their fleet.

“Past history and new technology point to a stable fuel management future with natural gas,” Doug Sutherland said. “We believe this will close the gap between the capital cost of LNG versus diesel and enable us to meet our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”