Beer dealer switches 12 LI trucks from diesel to natural gas

A Bronx-based beer distributor said it has replaced 12 more of its diesel trucks serving Long Island with cleaner running compressed natural gas vehicles.

Manhattan Beer Distributors said the addition of the trucks brings the total number of natural gas powered trucks it operates systemwide to 75 --  including 27 on Long Island -- out of a fleet of 350. The rest are diesels.

The new Long Island trucks, based in Wyandanch, went into service in April and the company plans a formal announcement Monday.

The company put its first 15 natural gas trucks into service in 2002.

The 12 new gas trucks are paid for in part with $573,000 in federal energy funds through the Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition, a Manhattan Beer spokesman said.

In addition to Long Island, Manhattan Beer Distributors serves New York City and six adjacent upstate counties. Major brands are Coors and Corona. The company also has facilities in Brooklyn, Queens and Suffern.