Union Pacific Highlights Deliveries of Ethanol and Hybrid Autos during National Alternative Fuel Autos Month

Union Pacific expects to transport an increased number of hybrid vehicles and ethanol as consumers take a closer look at fuel efficient vehicles in the face of increasing gasoline prices.

“Union Pacific Railroad is the largest automotive carrier west of the Mississippi River,” said Julie Krehbiel, vice president and general manager - Autos at Union Pacific. “During National Alternative Fuel Autos Month, we want to drive awareness of Union Pacific’s role in delivering greener vehicles and fuel to market.”

Last year, Union Pacific transported approximately six million light vehicles, including passenger cars, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, cross-over vehicles and commercial light trucks in specially-designed multi-level rail cars on expedited service trains to distribution centers across the western United States.

The company transported approximately 101,000 hybrid vehicles and experienced an increased demand for shipments of the gasoline additive ethanol.

Ethanol demand is robust and Union Pacific has invested more than a billion dollars in its overall railroad infrastructure, including parts of its network serving ethanol-producing states in Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. This will help the company move more grain to the ethanol plants and transport the ethanol to fuel terminals and dried distillers grains to feed markets.

“Shipping autos and ethanol by rail is a green solution that benefits both customers and the environment,” said Krehbiel. “As a SmartWay Transport Partner, Union Pacific is committed to offering transportation that helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution and improves fuel efficiency of ground freight transportation.”

The SmartWay® Transport Partnership is a voluntary collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.