The City of Tampa, Fla., recently received five new compressed natural gas (CNG) solid waste vehicles on Feb. 12 at the Tampa International Airport’s CNG station. The City also plans to replace an additional five existing diesel refuse trucks with CNG models by 2014.

“The five CNG vehicles we recently purchased will save us $150,000 a year in diesel fuel costs, and over the long run, it will save us time and money on engine maintenance, a City spokesperson told Government Fleet. “They’re also cleaner for the environment. It’s just good business to have CNG vehicles as part of the city’s fleet.”

The new CNG vehicles will be able to fuel up at a CNG station, operated by Clean Energy, at Tampa International Airport.

The City of Tampa has a total of 3,100 vehicles in its fleet. These five CNG vehicles are the first alternative-fuel vehicle models acquired by the City. According to a City spokesperson, Tampa intends to evaluate additional alternative-fuel vehicles as possible replacements for aging vehicles in the City’s fleet.

By Greg Basich