Nortrans Freight Management is transitioning part of its fleet to natural gas-powered vehicles, driven by advancements in engine technology that finally meet the demands of heavy-duty transport in British Columbia's Interior.
At the end of September, the BC-based company launched one of Canada’s first commercially deployed Kenworth T880 natural gas trucks.
General Manager Alexander Norman called the Cummins X15N engine a game-changer because it allows the truck to deliver commercial-grade performance with a lower environmental impact.
He said the new truck enables the company to haul loads of forest products, steel, and aluminum without compromising power.
"We're finally at a place technologically where natural gas has the power to actually pull those loads," Norman said in an interview with NowMedia video host Jim Csek.
Unlike pilot projects that remain limited to testing, this vehicle is already hauling full-weight loads from Revelstoke to Oroville, WA for long-time partner Gorman Bros. Lumber Ltd.
Norman noted that for years, alternative fuels lacked the strength for the region's logging and lumber trucks, but the new engine, combined with an 18-speed transmission, allows for full super-B trailer configurations up to 140,000 pounds.
The move comes amid broader efforts to reduce costs and emissions, with Norman emphasizing natural gas's affordability and stability compared to diesel.
"The savings really come from the cost of fuel. So natural gas at the moment is a much cheaper fuel than diesel," he explained, adding that diesel's price volatility has made budgeting challenging.
By contrast, natural gas offers predictability, allowing the company to set stable prices with customers and avoid frequent renegotiations or fuel surcharges.
The new natural gas vehicle also has up to 95% less nitrogen oxides and up to 30% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Nortrans plans to convert about 10% of its fleet this year and may order few, if any, new diesel trucks if the technology proves reliable.
Norman also discussed the company's trials with other alternatives, including hydrogen and battery-electric vehicles, but positioned natural gas as the most viable option today for their long-haul, mountainous routes often exceeding 500 kilometres daily.
"We've kind of been at the buffet over the past few years testing different alternative fuels... At the moment I think the winner today is natural gas," he said.
As Nortrans pushes forward, Norman said the company remains open to innovations like Tesla's electric semi, provided they advance the industry.
However, infrastructure remains a key factor, with Norman crediting Fortis BC and Clean Energy for expanding fuelling stations across hubs like Prince George, Kamloops, Kelowna, and Vancouver.
On maintenance and longevity, Norman expressed confidence, pointing to examples like Veteran Transport's natural gas trucks lasting 10 to 20 years with only slightly higher repair costs.
He stressed that mechanics are cross-trained for diesel, natural gas, and emerging fuels like hydrogen, and the trucks appear nearly identical to road users.
The higher upfront cost of natural gas trucks is offset by grants from programs like Natural Resources Canada's Green Freight Program, making the shift feasible, Norman said.
“What we're finding, particularly with natural gas and some of the battery electric projects we've been looking at, is it makes business sense, but it makes sense from a sustainability perspective as well,” Norman said.
Nortrans began in the Okanagan Valley in 1992. Today, it operates on of the largest fleets of curtain side and Roll Tite trailers in Western Canada.
