OKLAHOMA CITY - Love’s Travel Stops announced the opening of its first compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel facility designed for rapid fueling of heavy-duty trucks. Additionally, the company announced it is testing its first 11.9L CNG engine with plans to purchase more for its 300-truck, fuel delivery fleet.

The announcement signals the company’s commitment to offer CNG as a viable alternative fuel for the trucking industry. Offering the product in a fast-fill dispenser enables efficient fueling of heavy-duty trucks. Currently, a gallon-equivalent of CNG is approximately $2 less than a gallon of diesel. Compressed natural gas is also an abundant, domestic fuel that is cleaner burning.

Tom Love, founder and CEO of Love’s Travel Stops, said, “Love’s continues to listen to the needs of our customers and give them options by adding our first CNG fueling facility for professional drivers. We are monitoring demand for CNG and are looking to expand the availability of fast-fill CNG at our Oklahoma and Texas travel stop locations.”

Special guest, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, also spoke at the event.

Fallin, who is a nationally recognized natural gas champion, said, “Love’s is one of Oklahoma’s finest examples of innovation and leadership. Their commitment to advance natural gas as a transportation fuel is a milestone for our state and our nation. Oklahoma is a state rich with natural gas resources, and companies like Love’s are leading the way in providing infrastructure that stimulates more demand for natural gas, a cleaner burning, more affordable fuel that supports the creation of American jobs.”

Love’s began offering CNG for light-duty and consumer vehicles at smaller locations in Oklahoma in early 2011 through a partnership with Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy.

After conducting extensive research on natural-gas alternatives for heavy-duty trucks, the company saw benefits of using CNG for their own fuel delivery fleet. Love’s also believes regional trucking fleets have an opportunity to take advantage of the cost savings.

The company’s first fast-fill CNG fueling facility is located at the Love’s Travel Stop on Interstate 40 at the Morgan Road exit in Oklahoma City where the ceremony was held.

About Love’s Travel Stops - Founded in 1964 by Tom Love, Love’s Travel Stops is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., and remains entirely family-owned and operated. With more than 290 locations and 150 truck tire care centers in 39 states, Love’s approximate growth rate is 20 stores per year. Love’s is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes Magazine’s annual listing of America’s largest privately held companies. To learn more, visit www.loves.com, Facebook (www.facebook.com/lovestravelstops), or follow @LovesTravelStop on Twitter.