MONTREAL, Que. – GE Capital and Gaz Metro Transport Solutions (GMTS) announced today the signing of a new agreement that will facilitate the trucking industry’s adoption of natural gas as a fuel in Eastern Canada.

GMTS is a subsidiary of Gaz Metro and since it was created in 2010 it has become the leader in alternative fuels in Quebec.

Under this agreement, fleet operators will work with GMTS for natural gas supply and purchase and, separately, with GE Capital to secure loans or leases for natural gas vehicles (NGVs).

“As someone with nearly a decade of experience in the transportation industry, I understand how critical it is for fleet operators to reduce their fuel costs. To remain competitive, they need to cut 3%-5% annually just to keep up with the market,” said Véronique Haché, strategic initiative leader for natural gas vehicles at GE Capital. “Transitioning to natural gas is a smart way to diversify their fuel portfolios and reduce those costs. Through this agreement, we’re giving trucking company leaders the financial motivation to make the shift from diesel to nat-gas.”

“This agreement reinforces GMTS’s turn-key approach by adding a financial partner to accompany the fleet operators in their transition to natural gas,” added Luc Génier, president of the board of directors of GMTS. “We are confident that combining our respective expertise will have a positive effect on the adoption of natural gas as a fuel for the trucking industry in Eastern Canada.”

According to the companies, natural gas engines helps trucking companies reduce their environmental footprint because natural gas emits 25% less greenhouse gas than diesel.

GMTS was the first to launch LNG fuelling stations – called the Blue Road– in Canada. Today, there are five Blue Road fuelling stations across the country.