Amazon and clean energy provider to open 19 fueling sites in North America

Dive Brief:

Amazon and natural gas provider Clean Energy Fuels have inked a deal to open 19 renewable natural gas (RNG) fueling sites in North America, according to an announcement.
The RNG stations, which offer fuel made from organic waste to Amazon’s fleet as well as others, aim to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the trucking sector — an area that could still be “many years away” from electrification, Andrew J. Littlefair, president and CEO of Clean Energy Fuels, said in the announcement.
The first RNG station as part of the deal opened on Sept. 28 in Groveport, Ohio, about 12 miles south of downtown Columbus. Many of the other stations “should be operational by the end of the year,” according to the announcement.

Dive Insight:

Amazon and Clean Energy Fuels’ new “multi-million-dollar” station in Groveport covers nearly seven acres and includes multiple fast-fill RNG fueling dispensers, according to the announcement. It also offers time-fill posts for up to 52 trucks, which extend the fueling window, thus reducing the demand of gas flow.

The station also offers 52 parking spots.

“Plans are already underway to add fueling capacity for additional heavy- and medium-duty trucks,” according to the announcement.

The station will dispense 700,000 gallons of RNG annually, which should cut the use of diesel fuel and reduce carbon emissions by 6,848 metric tons — the equivalent of growing 114,133 trees for 10 years, taking 1,489 passenger cars off the road or eliminating 2,750 tons of landfill waste, according to the announcement.

By working with Amazon, Clean Energy Fuels’ builds on its current network of 550 fueling stations in North America, which includes sites at chain and independent gas stations, airports, car rental centers and more. One of Clean Energy Fuels’ largest c-store partners is Pilot, a partnership that has given Clean Energy Fuels access to various Pilot travel centers offering compressed and liquefied natural gas.

As of mid-September, Amazon has 202 renewable energy projects in North America. The company has publicly announced its goal to use 100% renewable energy by 2025.