Fleet Applications

Photo of a propane hybrid electric bus, which is designed to look like an old-fashioned trolley car.

Knoxville Area Transit Propane Hybrid Electric Trolley

Alternative fuel and advanced vehicle implementation considerations are different for every fleet application. For this reason, selecting the right technologies for your fleet can be challenging.

This page offers suggestions on what alternative fuels and advanced vehicles for the following fleet scenarios.

For real-world applications, read the case studies on the Fleet Experiences page.

Airports

Airports are uniquely suited for alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles because the duty cycles of airport vehicles feature high-mileage, long idle times, and frequent stops. In addition, vehicles travelling to and from airports are conducive to central refueling. There are a variety of fleets and applications with many alternative fuel and advanced vehicle options, and there are many sources of outside funding available for vehicle and infrastructure projects. Read about actual Airport Fleet Experiences.

Delivery Services

From grocery and flower vans to heavy-duty livestock and fuel trucks, delivery vehicles can take advantage of alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technologies, idle reduction strategies, and fuel economy measures. Delivery fleets are ideal for these approaches because they are typically centrally fueled and have high fuel use and predictable routes. Read about actual Delivery Service Fleet Experiences.

Parks

As visitation to U.S. national parks increases so does traffic congestion, hazy vistas, and transportation noise. Some parks are turning to alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technologies to improve air quality, decrease noise, preserve natural resources, and enhance the visitor experience. Parks are also ideal places to showcase the benefits of these technologies to hundreds of millions of visitors each year. Read about actual Park Fleet Experiences.

Long-Haul Trucks

Heavy-duty long-haul trucks are essential to U.S. commerce and quality of life. However, these high-mileage, high-fuel-use vehicles emit particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants at much higher levels than light-duty vehicles. They also use significant amounts of fuel and produce substantial emissions while idling. The use of alternative fuels and advanced technologies in the long-haul trucking industry can reduce emissions and save money that would otherwise be spent fuel to idle the trucks. Read about actual Long-Haul Truck Fleet Experiences.

Police/Traffic Enforcement

Police, security, and traffic enforcement fleets require a wide range of vehicles, from high-performance police cruisers to personal mobility vehicles. Because they accumulate high mileage and running time and are often centrally fueled, they are well suited to alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technologies. Vehicles with these technologies help reduce pollution in the communities they serve, and their high visibility promotes clean transportation alternatives.

Law enforcement vehicles are often custom-ordered and can be specified as alternative fuel and advanced technology models. Neighborhood electric vehicles, personal mobility vehicles, and electric bicycles are small and easy to maneuver, making them well suited for applications such as campus and building patrol and traffic and parking enforcement Read about actual Police/Traffic Enforcement Fleet Experiences.

Refuse Haulers

Refuse haulers are often required to meet local fleet emissions standards and, because they are usually centrally fueled, they are good candidates for alternative fuel use. Read about actual Refuse Hauler Fleet Experiences.

School Buses

School buses are an ideal application for alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technologies. They operate on predictable routes, practice centralized maintenance and refueling, and transport millions of students to and from school each day—kids who can benefit from the cleaner emissions alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies offer. Read about actual School Bus Fleet Experiences.

Shuttle Buses

Like transit buses, shuttle buses reduce the number of cars on the road. Shuttle buses are typically "return-to-base" fleets, meaning they start from a central location and return to that same location at the end of the shift, and are therefore capable of centralized fueling. This and their high-mileage operation make them well suited to run on alternative fuels. Read about actual Shuttle Bus Fleet Experiences.

Transit Buses

Transit buses not only help reduce the number of cars on the road but with fixed routes and centralized fueling they make an ideal niche market for alternative fuels. Using alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies in transit bus applications can reduce emissions and provide energy diversity for your community.

Transit buses are a good introductory market for new technologies including alternative fuels, hybrid technologies, and fuel cells. Because they idle frequently, and more localities are initiating idling restrictions transit buses also provide a good opportunity for anti-idling technologies. Read about actual Transit Bus Fleet Experiences.

Taxis

Taxis typically drive 60,000 miles or more per year, operate within 30 miles of their home base in urban areas that benefit from reduced emissions, and are centrally fueled. These characteristics make taxis ideal for alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technologies that can reduce fleet operating costs and improve air quality and public image. Read about actual Taxi Fleet Experiences.