LOS ANGELES, Cal. — Workers serving the California ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles should be able to breathe a little easier, after 232 liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered Sterling trucks have been put into service there.

Daimler Trucks North America delivered 132 LNG trucks to California Cartage Company and 100 LNG trucks for the ports’ Clean Truck Program. California Cartage received nearly US$12 million in grant funding to green its fleet.

The trucks deployed by California Cartage are Sterling Set-Back 113s, with the LNG system installed at the factory. They are powered by the Cummins Westport ISL G engine.

“Our ports are a major economic engine, but that engine needs cleaning,” Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said during ceremonies earlier this week. “The trucks being introduced today support our mission to grow and green the Port of Los Angeles. Through our landmark Clean Truck Program, we are growing our ports and cleaning the air so that Angelenos can breathe easier.”

“By introducing the Set-Back 113 with natural gas, we’re giving our customers a hard-working truck that reduces both costs and environmental emissions,” added Chris Patterson, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America.  “Through the development of this new truck, as well as all the others on exhibit today, we are helping to shape the future of clean technology. And with an expanded line of Class 3-8 vehicles, including new Freightliner Business Class M2s with natural gas that will soon be made available, as well as Freightliner diesel hybrids, other M2s, FLDs, new severe duty trucks and, coming soon for 2010, new models with Detroit Diesel’s BlueTec SCR emissions control technology, our customers can spec’ a truck to meet all their applications.”

Robert Curry, president of California Cartage Company said he expects the fleet to save thousands of dollars in annual fuel and operating costs per truck every year.