By Jason Rhyno, with files from Steve Bouchard.

SAINTE-JULIE, QC. — Earlier this week, heavy-duty truck dealer Excellence Peterbilt announced that they are offering private and for-hire carriers an opportunity to test drive a class 8 liquefied natural gas (LNG) tractor.

According to Excellence, as well as other reports, the Peterbilt 386 is the first heavy-duty LNG truck available for short-term rental in Canada. That’s fitting, seeing as how the whole story of LNG class 8 trucks in Canada took off when Claude Robert ordered 180 LNG tractors from Excellence.

Still, carriers have been hesitant to follow in Robert’s steps, naturally skeptical of the relatively new technology that also lacks a proper fueling infrastructure.

Gaz Metro Transport Solutions has been leading the LNG fuel supply and infrastructure push in the area, specifically for the Hwy. 401 corridor between Montreal and Mississauga, so it’s no surprise that the company has partnered with Excellence on the LNG-rental initiative.

If more carriers purchase LNG trucks, the greater the need for fuelling stations. But then, of course, carriers are hesitant to invest in LNG as fueling stations are very few and very far between. Chicken meet egg.

According to Today’s Trucking’s sister magazine Transport Routier, Gaz Metro will have a public filling facility at exit 305 in Quebec City by spring 2013, another one near Cornwall by late spring, and by autumn, one in the Greater Toronto Area.

According to Excellence, Robert is very satisfied with his LNG tractors, and reports are that he’s purchasing several more for 2013. Excellence also mentioned that several other carriers are evaluating the ROI on LNG tractors.

The hope is that carriers renting the LNG truck will experience first-hand the fuel savings — roughly 40 cents per litre compared to diesel — as well as test the capabilities of the truck.

Nicole Lussier, president of Excellence Peterbilt, said both dealerships in Laval and Sainte-Julie meet the required safety regulation to carry out routine maintenance and mechanical repairs. Location de camions Excellence PacLease will offer heavy-duty vehicles powered by compressed natural gas for the local distribution industry starting in 2013, she added.

In addition to PacLease and Gaz Metro, Westport HD and Peterbilt Motors have also partnered with the dealership on the new offering.

According to Gaz Metro, the road transportation sector is the largest GHG emitter in Quebec, accounting for more than 40 percent of total emissions. Heavy diesel trucks emit 28 percent of the GHG emissions in Québec, while representing only 2 percent of all vehicles.