NextEnergy teams up with Art Van to test biodiesel in delivery trucks

Now that some of the infrastructure for biodiesel is available in TechTown, traffic is starting to roll through.

Art Van Furniture is using two delivery trucks that run on biodiesel and filling them at TechTown's new biodiesel pump. The furniture retailer will track how the vehicles perform this year and record the results for NextEnergy. The trucks will perform their duties in Macomb and Wayne Counties.

The trucks will run on B-20 biodiesel, which is a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel fuel. The biodiesel is made from renewable sources, such as vegetation. The idea is using these blends will help reduce the demand for petroleum. Grosse Pointe-based Clean Emission Fluids will provide the biodiesel for the project.

Art Van operates Michigan's largest independent delivery fleet of about 400 trucks, service vans and tractor trailers. The family owned company is Michigan's largest furniture retailer, with 29 stores in 28 cities throughout the state.

Source: Chris Morrisroe, communications director for Art Van Furniture
Writer: Jon Zemke

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