WESTLAKE, Texas — Core-Mark International, which operates more than 1,500 trucks to deliver goods to nearly 40,000 convenience store retail locations across the United States, is reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pollution from its operations in California with strategic partners Neste and Diesel Direct.
“As part of Core-Mark’s Environmental and Climate Change Policy, we are continually seeking practical ways of increasing the efficiency of our fleet while reducing GHG emissions,” said Brian Johnston, senior director of transportation for Core-Mark. “Using renewable diesel fuel presents a tremendous opportunity to live up to that policy. We look forward to procuring its use elsewhere in the U.S. and Canada, when available.”
Powered by Neste MY Renewable Diesel, Core-Mark’s diesel truck fleet in California of more than 150 vehicles now emits no new GHG emissions from the tailpipes.
Neste MY Renewable Diesel is provided by Core-Mark’s longtime distributor Diesel Direct, a dedicated national mobile refueling company for the transportation industry. Together, Neste and Diesel Direct have established a renewable diesel distribution network in the United States, able to supply more than 115 million gallons across multiple fueling sites from San Diego, Calif., to Portland, Ore.
“We are proud to help Core-Mark kick the oil habit in California, and look forward to expanding our partnership to get the rest of its existing diesel powered vehicles in Oregon, Washington and eventually across the country running on renewable diesel,” said Carrie Song, vice president for renewable road transport for Neste in North America.
Since switching to Neste MY Renewable Diesel, Core-Mark has achieved a 4% increase in fuel efficiency. Additionally, Core-Mark will realize reduced maintenance needs and costs because renewable diesel runs cleaner in engines, which is delivering cost savings roughly equivalent to 25 cents per gallon based on Core-Mark’s fleet profile.
In addition to its renewable diesel program, Core-Mark has forged a partnership with TuSimple, an autonomous driving technology company.
For one of Core-Mark’s frequent routes in Arizona between its distribution centers in Phoenix and Tucson, the company has contracted with TuSimple to transport its freight. In doing so, TuSimple is able to conduct further testing of its network of long-haul, self-driving trucks. For the Core-Mark program, an engineer and driver are onboard the truck to monitor and oversee its performance.
“At Core-Mark, we take pride in pursuing the use of cutting-edge technologies that improve our productivity while lessening our impact on the environment,” said Johnston. “We’re happy to be playing a key role in the ongoing development and adoption of game-changing advancements that may one day revolutionize transportation and improve our ability to serve the needs of our customers.”
Neste, based in Espoo, Finland, creates products for combating climate change. The company refines waste, residues and raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials.
Stoughton, Mass.-based Diesel Direct is an on-site fueling service that delivers fuels and additives in a sustainable way directly to a fleet’s tanks on the job site or place of business. The company specializes in mobile fueling and bulk fuel deliveries for local, regional and national truck fleets.
Core-Mark, based in Westlake, Texas, is a marketer of fresh food and broad-line supply services to the convenience retail industry in North America. Core-Mark services traditional convenience stores, grocers, drug stores, mass merchants, liquor and specialty stores and other stores that carry convenience products.
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