Don’t call them 18-wheelers anymore. Canadian National Railroad will launch EcoRide in April 2011. EcoRide is a new container chassis that reduces fuel consumption by 10 per cent in the container trucking process. How, you ask? Side skirts reduce aerodynamic drag, cutting weight 15 per cent than conventional Canadian National chassis, and low-rolling resistance tires on each axle replace the normal four tires per axle. Canadian National will debut the new chic chassis in Ontario. “CN stands for innovation and is continuously looking for ways to reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint,” said Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN executive vice-president and chief marketing officer. “After the successful launch last year of EcoTherm, our new greener insulated container, the Canadian National team started to explore other opportunities to provide customers better supply chain solutions that reduce carbon emissions.” “Canadian National’s next steps in environmental innovation will include testing hybrid container cranes, in-terminal hybrid trucks, and energy efficient generators. Canadian National is deploying the hybrid shunt trucks in ground switching of containers on chassis at our Brampton Intermodal Terminal this month,” Ruest went on to say. Kraft Canada, a major Canadian National intermodal customer, is taking a comprehensive approach to its sustainability program. “We are working very closely with Canadian National to develop a low carbon supply chain,” said Craig McLaughlin, vice-president, supply chain, for Kraft Canada. “We appreciate that Canadian National continues finding new ways to be more energy efficient. Canadian National is aligned with Kraft's focus on those suppliers that deliver the most value, which includes great service, innovation and reduced carbon emissions.”