Immediate fuel price savings
Southern California’s City of Burbank now has a 100-percent CNG-fueled solid refuse fleet, with the addition of a solid waste rear-loader collection truck completing the transition. Reported in Government Fleet, the move to CNG required a significant capital investment, while benefits include lower fuel and maintenance costs and reduced emissions. As David Rodriguez, fleet superintendent, explained, “The City’s stance has always been that we understand the technology costs money, and it’s our responsibility to use our money wisely. We feel it’s more prudent to pay extra initial capital outlay and give our citizens and geographical area better air quality.” The City is seeing immediate benefits from the switch to CNG, with savings from reduced fuel costs (approx. $1 gallon compared with diesel and gasoline) and lower maintenance costs.
“Take a refuse truck that’s driving eight hours a day, five days a week, and gets about 5 miles to the gallon. That means a lot of savings, not only in the carbon footprint, but in dollars to us,” said Ari Omessi, assistant public works director.
Rodriguez added, “The CNG engine seems to be bulletproof. Other than oil changes, we’re not seeing any major component malfunctions.”
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