AB InBev Chile will have the first fleet of LNG trucks in the region
In line with its sustainability goals for 2025, Cervecería AB InBev Chile – parent company of brands such as Corona, Stella Artois, Budweiser and Becker, among others – announced its innovation project in the use of alternative fuels for its interurban distribution fleet serving the entire southern part of the country, from Santiago to Puerto Montt, with the addition of 30 LNG-powered trucks. With this, it becomes the first company in Chile and South America to establish a solid logistics network for this type of fuel.
“This initiative is part of our sustainability strategy and aims not only to increase the added value of our operations and generate a positive impact on the environment, but also to pave the way for other companies in Chile that want to substitute coal and diesel with LNG, in order to reduce its emissions,” said the Director of Logistics of AB InBev Chile Bruno Melaré.
The transition of 30% of the fleet to this new system, and with a greater load capacity, will allow reducing CO2 emissions by 801 (-18%) tons per year, which is equivalent to removing 251 cars from the road or planting more than 1,614 trees. Additionally, it will reduce particulate matter emissions by more than 90% by substituting diesel with natural gas in this new fleet.
The project is the result of the collaboration with IVECO —in charge of manufacturing 100% LNG-powered European vehicles— and Transportes San Gabriel, which will operate the trucks that use this sustainable fuel.
“We are a family business with clear objectives when talking about projects related to energy sustainability. In the medium term, we hope to completely eliminate the use of petroleum-derived fuels from our fleet, considering a strong investment of 20 million dollars,” expressed the Operations Manager of Transportes San Gabriel Sebastián Calderón.
The trucks will have a permanent supply of natural gas thanks to an agreement established with Lipigas. Together with the energy solutions company, the first private service station for the refueling of LNG will be built in the city of Linares, thus installing the necessary capacity to supply the company’s trucks and, in the future, those who want to migrate to this energy. AB InBev Chile’s trucks will start operating in December 2020.
