DeKalb County, Ga., which labels itself “The Greenest County in America,” has ordered 24 Freightliner Business Class M2 112 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks. The county, which is in the five-county core of the Atlanta metropolitan statistical area, will take delivery of the vehicles in late 2011. The trucks will be used for sanitation and maintenance tasks.

The county will power the new trucks with fuel produced through its own methane gas-to-energy process. The program, which was launched in 2011, converts landfill waste to natural gas. By converting the waste to energy, DeKalb County produces enough electricity to run 2,500 homes and will produce enough natural gas to run 600 trucks.

To support the gas-to-energy program, DeKalb County is building two fueling stations for passenger cars and trucks. “We take environmental responsibility very seriously, and we are very proud of all our green initiatives,” said Robert Gordon, fleet service superintendent, DeKalb County Fleet Management Division. “That’s why, when we decided to take the next step and green our fleet, we turned to Freightliner Trucks.”

Gordon found the M2 112’s cab to be roomy and comfortable, with accessible controls and good visibility with a 2,500-square-inch windshield. The truck’s 55-degree wheel cut and set-back front axle provides maneuverability. He said the trucks are suited for the three-man sanitation routes that DeKalb County runs.

The Freightliner M2 112 CNG models are suited for a range of regional haul and vocational applications. They offer low fuel consumption, and they produce near-zero emissions.

A Cummins Westport ISL G 8.9-liter natural gas engine powers the truck. It has a maintenance-free three-way catalyst, and requires no diesel particulate filter or regeneration.

Freightliner Trucks is a division of Daimler Trucks North America, headquartered in Portland, Ore., and produces heavy-duty trucks in North America. Daimler Trucks North America produces and markets Class 4-8 trucks and is a Daimler company, a global commercial vehicle manufacturer.

Freightliner Trucks’ commitment to green technologies is part of Daimler AG’s worldwide Shaping Future Transportation initiative. Launched in 2007, the initiative focuses on reducing criteria pollutants, carbon dioxide and fuel consumption.