Nike reduces carbon emissions with ‘green fleet’
Nike, Inc. and Converse are a significant part of their Los Angeles area harbour drayage fleet from diesel to new liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled vehicles. The company estimates that the new LNG trucks will emit 18% less CO2, 88% less NOx and 96% less particulate matter per mile compared with their diesel counterparts.
"Nike and our affiliate companies are committed to a 30% absolute CO2 reduction for inbound logistics by 2020," said the company’s director of corporate logistics services, John Isbell.
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the ports of entry for a substantial portion of the footwear, apparel and equipment imported by the two brands from the Asia Pacific region. While a portion of those goods move directly via train from the ports to Nike distribution centres in Tennessee, many are trucked directly to local distribution centres in Inland Empire and Torrance. It is a part of those hauls – totalling approximately 285,000 miles a year – that will be converted to LNG trucks. The trucks are expected to be in service by mid December.
Nike has also joined the Coalition for Responsible Transportation (CRT), a group advocating policies and public/private partnerships that encourage the use of cleaner truck technologies in port communities.
