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AT&T Announces Deployment of Its 4,000th Alternative-Fuel Vehicle
Last Updated: August 23, 2011
AT&T's 10-year commitment to a cleaner corporate fleet is rolling into new territory: AT&T today announced the deployment of the 4,000th alternative-fuel vehicle (AFV) in its corporate vehicle fleet - with more than 2,000 AFVs deployed in California alone. AT&T also announced that it has deployed its 3,000th compressed natural gas vehicle (CNG).
AT&T deployed its 4,000th AFV in Chicago, IL; its 3,000th CNG in Houston, TX; and the 2,000th AFV of its California fleet in San Diego. All of the milestone vehicles are Ford E250 CNG vans.
The deployments are the latest in AT&T's planned 10-year investment of up to $565 million to replace approximately 15,000 fleet vehicles with alternative-fuel models through 2018. Currently, the AT&T corporate fleet - which is part of the Department of Energy's Clean Cities' National Clean Fleets Partnership -features more than 71,500 vehicles and includes one of the largest U.S. corporate commitments to CNG vehicles to date. AT&T avoided the purchase of one million gallons of petroleum in 2010 as a result of its use of CNG vehicles.
"As the economy rises and falls with fuel prices, we have a responsibility to look for smart ways to reduce our costs," said Jerome Webber, vice president, AT&T Global Fleet Operations. "Putting 4,000 alternative-fuel vehicles on the road - including 3,000 compressed natural gas vehicles - is a significant statement about the ability of fleet operators to not only reduce costs, but also to cut vehicle emissions. Every alternative fuel vehicle on the road brings us closer to energy independence, and that's good for our company and our country."
Along with its fleet of CNG vehicles, AT&T is deploying all-electric and extended range electric vehicles in its fleet. AT&T fleets in St. Louis, Dallas and Los Angeles received the first of these vehicles. AT&T expects to make additional deployments in 2011 and 2012.
Through 2013, AT&T anticipates it will have purchased approximately 8,000 CNG vehicles at an anticipated cost of $350 million. AT&T expects to invest an additional $215 million through 2018 to replace approximately 7,100 fleet passenger cars with alternative-fuel models.
According to a 2009 Center for Automotive Research report, AT&T's planned alternative-fuel vehicle initiative would: - Save 49 million gallons of gasoline over the 10-year deployment period. - Reduce carbon emissions by 211,000 metric tons - the greenhouse gas equivalent of removing 38,600 passenger vehicles from the road for one year. - For more information about AT&T's sustainability efforts and to view a copy of AT&T's 2010 Sustainability Report, please visit www.att.com/csr .
Hoover, Alabama, Supports Biofuels
Last Updated: April 08, 2011
Hoover, Alabama, is a town where renewable biofuels reign supreme. Three hundred thousand gallons of E85 are consumed each year by its flex-fuel police vehicles. Hoover also leads the state with 88% of their municipal vehicles using some type of advanced fuel, including biodiesel.
Commercial B20 is used by their public works fleet, but the city also makes its own biodiesel. Since 2007, a recycling program allows residents to drop off their waste vegetable oil for processing. Biodiesel fuels 40 municipal vehicles, including city trolleys.
Tony Petelos, mayor of Hoover, says,"We're collecting about 1,000 gallons a month from 21 small restaurants that don't have a means to dispose of the cooking oil as well as from our residents in the City of Hoover. We convert that into biodiesel." In 2009, Hoover joined a pilot program that converts wood waste and yard debris into E85 ethanol. Clearly, the City of Hoover is making it happen when it comes to biofuels.
Knoxville Utilities Board Uses a Variety of Alternative Fuels
Last Updated: April 04, 2011
The Knoxville Utilities Board in Tennessee has over 30 years of experience with alternative fuels with nearly 90% of their current vehicle fleet now using less gasoline and diesel fuel as a result. Besides vehicles that run on compressed natural gas and E85, KUB's fleet includes 14 hybrid electrics including bucket trucks used to repair power lines. Two off-road electric Tiger trucks have said "no" to petroleum, and many of their largest vehicles run on B5 biodiesel.
The utility is also involved with the EV Project, which will bring a charging network to the Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville triangle region. Chris Wilson, fleet supervisor of KUB, says, "We want to get that corridor covered with electric charging stations where folks can get to and from those areas without having to use any type of fuel." KUB is displacing more than 46,000 gallons of petroleum a year using alternative fuels, demonstrating their strong commitment as an environmental steward for the residents of K-Town.
Boulder Wants to Add Electric Vehicles to Its Alternative Fuel Fleet
Last Updated: April 04, 2011
Boulder, Colorado, has made a city-wide commitment to alternative-fuel vehicles. Its lineup of flex-fuel police cars and light-duty pickups is a small sampling of the nearly 200 alt-fuel vehicles put into service since 2001. Along with E85, many of Boulder's maintenance trucks and street sweepers use B20 biodiesel. Propane is also part of the alt-fuel mix. Boulder also plans to convert 15 of their gas-electric hybrids to plug-in power. Charging stations will be installed around town with some of the current coming from solar energy.
Joe Castro, facilities and fleet manager of the City of Boulder Public Works, says, "We are looking at building a smarter electrical infrastructure with not only plug-in hybrids but also renewables, such as solar."
Nearly half of Boulder's fleet already is alt-fuel with a goal of 90%--a goal that will help ensure Boulder's Rocky Mountain view stays majestic.
Austin Municipal Fleet Runs on Alternative Fuel
Last Updated: March 21, 2011
The Austin, Texas, municipal fleet uses a wide array of alternative fuel vehicles including propane, biodiesel, hybrid electric, compressed natural gas, and E85. All play a part. Plus, EMS vehicles use solar panels to reduce wasteful idling. Austin's goal is a carbon-neutral city fleet by 2020. Almost 55% of their vehicles already use alt fuels with 30 new vehicles to go green next year.
"Anytime we can start using a renewable fuel source-an alternative fuel source that originates here in this country-then we're helping ourselves internationally in doing that. And we're helping the environment at the same time," says Austin Fleet Officer Gerry Calk. Austin also plans to add plug-in electric hybrids to its fleet and install EV charging stations around town to support them, making this once-oil-centric Texas capital among America's most alt-fuel-savvy cities.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Trying to Clear the Air
Last Updated: March 07, 2011
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park that straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, is the place where eco-friendly hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles are now helping to preserve this lush landscape. In 2006, beautifully wrapped and decorated hybrid cars were donated to the friends of Smoky Mountains by Toyota.
Since then, the park has received grants to help purchase additional alt fuel vehicles like E-Rods electric utility vehicles. One is used by maintenance crews; the other is an integral part of the Elk Bugle Corps that educates the public about the park's wildlife. Also new are seven hybrid SUVs and a new biodiesel filling station. The park's maintenance vehicles use B50 year-round, a switch that took a little getting used to.
According to Sam Owl, fleet manager for the park, "There was a learning curve with biodiesel because filters were plugging up and cleaning out the old fuel when we first switched to B50. But once we got past that curve, it seems like things are going pretty good now." The park is working closely with the Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition in Asheville, North Carolina, a perfect partner to help showcase the Smokies' naturally green beauty.
Norwich Connecticut Public Utilities Uses a Variety of Alt Fuel Vehicles
Last Updated: February 27, 2011
The Norwich, Connecticut, Public Utilities Company has assembled the largest municipal fleet of natural gas vehicles in the state. NPU has been using alternative fuels since 1995. Today, they operate 33 CNG vehicles including a sewer jet used to clean out sewer lines. NPU also has a hybrid electric bucket truck, two hybrid SUVs, and 15 biodiesel vehicles including a mini excavator and dump truck. They fill up at their new B20 refueling station built with the help of a federal grant from the Department of Energy.
John Bilda, general manager of NPU, says, "Wherever there's a vehicle and we can match that vehicle up with a compressed natural gas or an alternative fuel source, we're just simply expanding the fleet in that direction." Federal funding will also be used to transform this lot with 10 EV charging stations right next to a public CNG refueling station that's helping to make the Rose of New England a sweet-smelling, cleaner, greener city.
Denver International Airport Is Committed to Natural Gas
Last Updated: November 20, 2010
The City of Denver designed the sprawling Denver International Airport to be green from the start with compressed natural gas fueling stations and an underground baggage tunnel system that allows only CNG and electric vehicles.
CNG tugs are used for baggage handling, and the yellow, all-electric E-Ride used for trash removal. This Miles electric vehicle is currently being evaluated for tunnel use. All vehicles have to test clean on a dynamometer before a tunnel permit is issued.
There are also over 100 CNG light-duty maintenance trucks along with 180 bi-fuel gasoline/CNG trucks. The newest additions in Denver are police mobility vehicles. The all-electric PMVs look like Segways on steroids and are being used for traffic control.
CNG also powers employee, rental car, and parking lot shuttles, as well as airfield sweepers. It all makes for a versatile lineup of cleaner, greener vehicles working their way around DIA.
San Antonio is Switching to Hybrid Taxis
Last Updated: July 28, 2010
San Antonio is switching to hybrid taxis thanks to a 2007 city ordinance, filled with incentives. The program kicked off the voluntary program to replace traditional cabs with gasoline-electric hybrids. While familiar rides like the Crown Vic still ferry most passengers around the Alamo city, thanks to a commitment by several large taxi firms, more than 100 hybrids are already on the road.
And program coordinators are keeping the pedal down and hope to see more fuel-stingy taxis in the near future. Gary Gilbert says, "As technology changes in the automotive industry, our program will change with those technologies to provide a cleaner vehicle but still provide the transportation needs of our citizens."
Drivers like the fuel economy and cost savings hybrids offer, and passengers enjoy the ride--knowing they, too, are doing something good for Texas.
View the MotorWeek video of this story.
Los Angeles City Fleet Uses A Variety of Alternative Fuels
Last Updated: May 20, 2010
The City of Los Angeles boasts over 4,100 alternative-fuel vehicles--everything from gas-electric hybrids to natural gas trucks and buses to trendy MINI Es. The city is field-testing five MINI E plug-in electrics. City workers say they are getting about 100 miles on a full charge. Recharging takes about three hours using a dedicated charging station. For emergencies, a convenience charger plugs into a normal outlet. The city reduced petroleum fuel consumption by eight million gallons last year alone as the alt-fuel fleet continues to grow by over 20% annually. That includes 400 refuse trucks that use natural gas, and nearly half of their street sweepers also run on natural gas with plans for a 100% alt-fuel fleet. The L.A. Clean Cities coalition sees advanced-technology alt-fuel vehicles as a key way to keep the City of Angels clean, green, and beautiful. View the MotorWeek video.
Camelot Elementary School Does Battle With Emissions
Last Updated: March 25, 2010
The MotorWeek success story this week hails from San Antonio, Texas, where students are helping to reduce wasteful vehicle idling. It's the first school in its district to use members of the school's Green Patrol to carry signs with anti-idling messages, reminding parents to turn off their cars during after-school pickup. Parents that join the program display a "Clean Air Driver" windshield sticker. Coordinators say students are learning a valuable lesson at a young age.
School principal Annette Prosterman says, "One thing that's really great about this program is that it involves the children, and it empowers them to do something. When they can see a difference, I think that really goes a long way to giving them hope for the future."
The school cafeteria's bulletin board is filled with idle-reduction facts and figures. It serves as a constant reminder of how a "Green Patrol" zone can help reduce fuel consumption and improve air quality for the residents of the Alamo City. View the MotorWeek video of this story.
City of Ann Arbor Promotes Green Fleets Program
Last Updated: March 09, 2010
The City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, embarked on its Green Fleets Program in 2004 with the initial goal of reducing the municipal fleet's gas and diesel use by 10% before 2012. They achieved that in half the time and then set their sights higher: To use 30% renewable energy across all municipal operations by 2010, and they are meeting that goal, too.
"First of all, it's important for the City of Ann Arbor to green its fleet to help us fight climate change," says Andrew Brix of the Ann Arbor energy commission. "But the bigger impact is that we get to use fuels that are produced here in Michigan and in the U.S., and that keeps money in the local economy."
Ann Arbor's fleet uses a wide variety of clean alternative fuels, including E85, compressed natural gas in both light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and up to 50% blends of biodiesel. They are also field testing this hybrid electric lift truck and plan to buy two of them.
Ann Arbor is showing that even a small city fleet can make a big environmental statement. View the MotorWeek video of this story.
Empire Coachworks Makes Dedicated Natural Gas Conversions
Last Updated: February 05, 2010
Empire Coachworks of East Brunswick, New Jersey is an automotive pioneer--one of the first American firms to make custom limousines. But today's ultra-lux buyers of their super-stretch limos are now demanding "greener" vehicles. So Empire upfits Lincoln Town Cars, as well as Ford Focus fleet vehicles, and Econoline vans to use compressed natural gas.
Their 88,000 square foot facility, with 35 bays dedicated to alternative fuel activities, also supplies CNG trams for the Bronx Zoo and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Their next goal is to install certified CNG systems in larger vehicles such as school buses and paratransit vans.
Fleets run through Boards of Education and municipalities are looking to move 100% of their fleets into alternative fuel, and CNG is a natural fit for everyone. Empire delivers energy and eco-friendly solutions for smart executive travelers and beyond.
View the MotorWeek video of this story.
Columbus Strives to Become No. 1 Cleanest City
Last Updated: January 04, 2010
The City of Columbus, Ohio, is continuing its efforts to integrate more alternative fuel vehicles into daily operations. New arrivals for 2009 include four bi-fuel, CNG/gasoline light-duty trucks and two Ford Escape hybrids.
Each new CNG refuse truck has saved the city over $1,600 in less than a year. They plan to add 21 more CNG trucks by 2011. Right now, Columbus fills up with CNG off-site, but by the time the new trucks arrive, they?ll have a station of their own.
In 2007, the city began using biodiesel in snowplows and other heavy-duty vehicles. They have replaced nearly one million gallons of petroleum with biodiesel in 2009.
And, to improve air quality, Columbus is outfitting nearly 130 older trucks with diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters. Their 1998 fire engine is even on the list to be cleaned up, as the country?s "fourth cleanest city" strives to become number one!
View the MotorWeek video of this story.
Dallas Police Department Strives to Reduce Idling
Last Updated: January 04, 2010
The Dallas, Texas Police Department is testing idle reduction technology with a unit from Energy Xtreme, which fits neatly in the trunk of a Dodge Charger squad car. The system powers the police car's full electrical load--lights, computer, radio--for a minimum of four hours. So officers can do their duties without idling the engine. Two power cells provide backup power when the engine is off and the car's battery drops to 12.6 volts.
On-board computers show Dallas police can reduce idling by almost five hours a day. National studies show that one hour of idling takes one gallon of gasoline. Therefore that translates to five gallons saved per day per car it's installed in.
Besides saving fuel and cutting emissions, the system also reduces maintenance costs. DPD hopes to add idling reduction technology to more of its fleet. It's an easy-to-use "green tool" to help Dallas police serve and protect.
View the MotorWeek video of this story.
NYIT Introduces Long Island's First Solar Carport
Last Updated: December 29, 2009
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) officially introduced the first of two solar carports it is developing at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 27 at the Central Islip site. Part of NYIT's "One Spot, One Car, One Commute" solar plug-in hybrid electric vehicle project (S-PHEV), the freestanding, four-car carport prototype has solar panels integrated into its structure. The carport shades parked vehicles while collecting energy from the sun and converting it into power to charge plug-in hybrid vehicles. NYIT's two converted hybrid Toyota Priuses, as well as several campus electric vehicles, were on hand to demonstrate how the carport works.
U.S. Congressman Steve Israel (D-Huntington) participated in the ceremony with NYIT's President Edward Guiliano and other members of NYIT's faculty and administration. The congressman was instrumental in helping NYIT secure a $500,000 federal grant that funded the solar carport research, as well as a campus-wide "green print" initiative to determine the carbon footprint of the university, to research alternative energy technologies, and to undertake broad efforts to reduce energy consumption on campus and in the community.
Daniel Rapka, who received a master's degree in energy management from NYIT in 2007, is program manager for the S-PHEV project and an instructor in NYIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering, estimates that a single 200-square-foot parking space can collect enough solar energy on an annual basis to enable a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to drive the typical daily New York metro commute.
According to Rapka, "Charging plug-in hybrid electric cars is only the first step. The solar power generated by the carports can also be diverted to the local power grid and, in the near future, with a process called Vehicle to Grid (V2G) sharing, the plug-in electric hybrid cars can be a resource for the grid."
David G. Schieren, a 2006 graduate of NYIT's energy management master's degree program and CEO of EmPower, the solar contractor that designed and installed the carport, said "Charging electric vehicles with solar energy means that we can drive without consuming any fossil fuels-that is the ultimate goal. This is a grand slam for energy security, the environment, and domestic economic growth. EmPower is proud to be partnering with NYIT on this vital project that represents significant progress toward this goal. We look forward to collaborating on making this technology a widespread reality."
"NYIT's first solar carport is another important step in our ongoing commitment to global sustainability initiatives," said Greg Banhazl, NYIT's director of business development. "Each solar carport will contribute to enhancing environmental quality by implementing renewable energy resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and saving NYIT and PHEV commuters money on transportation costs."
NYIT, Long Island Power Authority, and EmPower, partners in building the solar carport at NYIT's Old Westbury campus, are all stakeholders in the Greater Long Island Clean Cities Coalition.
University of Oklahoma Adopts Variety of Alternative Fuels
Last Updated: November 10, 2009
The University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., has 160 vehicles that run on alternative fuels, including five low-speed electric vehicles. Two of the electric vehicles are used for on-campus mail delivery. OU also operates 43 electric utility vehicles and golf carts on campus sidewalks and paths that are used by maintenance and physical plant staff.
Beth Gatewood, OU assistant administrator of printing, mailing and document production, said the low-speed electric vehicles save the time and expense of refueling and are ready to go after recharging outside her building. "Besides being fun and quiet," Gatewood said, "we can get in all the small places on campus we need to squeeze through."
Central Oklahoma Clean Cities stakeholders since 1995, the University of Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Services, which includes Fleet Services operations and Cleveland Area Rapid Transit (CART), fuels 53 flex-fuel sedans and SUVs with E85, 41 heavy duty trucks and CART buses with B20, and 15 heavy duty and light-duty passenger vehicles and shuttle buses with CNG at its new Transportation Operations Center, a multi-fuel, state-of-the-art fueling, maintenance and operations facility. The center has four fast-fill CNG hoses at 3600 psi, and eight slow-fill CNG hoses in addition to four pumps for biodiesel and ethanol.
The university also has three hybrid electric passenger cars in its fleet that fuel at the facility which also dispenses gasoline and ultra low sulfur diesel.
At the official opening of the Transportation Operations Center in March 2009, OU President David Boren said the university is committed to the environment and the new Transportation Operations Center is a symbol of that commitment. Boren has made it university policy if an alternative fuel vehicle is available for the type of vehicle needed, the university will purchase the AFV.
OU Fleet Services plans to add five CNG buses to the CART fleet with 2009 federal stimulus money and will purchase and convert two new Chevrolet Impalas with assistance from an award from the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments' 2009 Public Fleet Conversion Grants program. ACOG's Public Fleet Conversion Grants? program is administered through its Clean Cities program office.
Kansas City Updates With Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Last Updated: October 08, 2009
In 1996, the City of Kansas City, Missouri instituted a fleet-wide alternative fuel program. Today, more than 200 compressed natural gas cars, trucks, and vans fuel up at the city's central CNG station. Also, their 1,100 diesels run primarily on B20 and B50 biodiesel. In June, 2009, Kansas City received the first 4 of 19 Diamond International trucks upfitted for CNG. Used to repair water main breaks, they are some of the largest rigs to run on CNG. According to Sam Swearngin, "We're kind of proud of the fact that these trucks are the cleanest trucks you can buy on the planet that do what they do and operate right here in our neighborhood. "The alternative fuel program extends to the Kansas City International Airport, where 35 shuttle buses also run on CNG, all to make "KC" cleaner and less dependent on oil. View the MotorWeek video of this story.
Alternative Fuels Are Key to Airport Transportation in Portland
Last Updated: August 24, 2009
The Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon has become a dedicated user of alternative fuel vehicles in almost every aspect of operation from baggage loading vehicles to shuttle buses, police vehicles, and street maintenance equipment. PDX began replacing conventional petroleum diesel buses with vehicles fueled with compressed natural gas (CNG) in 1997 and currently has 46 dedicated CNG vehicles including 26 shuttle buses, 6 Ford Crown Victorias, one Honda Civic, one F450 service truck, a forklift, 9 vans and two step vans. PDX also has two bi-fuel CNG/gasoline pickups and two vans. Propane vehicles include four forklifts and 1 small scrubber/sweeper. There are 15 flexible-fuel vehicles fueled with E85 and seven hybrid light-duty vehicles used for police activities.
Biodiesel also plays an important part in the alternative fuel plan. PDX has fueled its diesel vehicles with B20 since 2002 and currently operates 26 heavy-duty on-road vehicles including four buses, 19 trucks and three F450 service vehicles plus 27 additional pieces of off-road equipment.
PDX installed fueling infrastructure to meet its alternative fuel needs. The airport currently has CNG, LPG, and B20 fueling stations on the property, althought it cannot sell fuel to other fleets or the public because of access limitations. PDX is also looking to expand CNG availability by adding an additional fueling station or purchasing back-up components for its existing infrastructure.
Rick Elliott, aviation maintenance superintendent, points to lower emissions and longer operational life, which means more miles between rebuilds, as advantages to the alternative fuel fleet. "Whenever we look at purchasing a vehicle, our first question is 'Is it available in an alternate fuel?'" Elliott said. For more information, contact Rick Elliott at the Port of Portland.
University of Illinois-Chicago Fleet Invests in AFVs
Last Updated: June 01, 2009
Diversity on campus has a new meaning in Chicago. The University of Illinois-Chicago's (UIC) transportation system for innercampus and commuter transport includes a variety of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). The fleet includes 12 light-duty hybrids, 37 flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), 26 vehicles that operate on B20, two compressed natural gas (CNG) cargo vans, and a CNG Crown Victoria. In addition, nine CNG Blue Bird buses transport an average of 2,000 people daily around the campus. All in all, AFVs represent 36% of their fleet.
With the help of two Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grants received through the efforts of the Chicago Area Clean Cities coalition, the university installed CNG infrastructure. "We now have two slow-fill dispensing units and we have added two quick-fill CNG units," says Pablo Acevedo, associate director of facilities management at UIC. The university's program extends its reach even farther by allowing vehicles owned by the City of Chicago to fill up at the UIC facility.
Acevedo explains that there are pluses and minuses to his CNG vehicles. "Parts and maintenance are more costly for the CNG vehicles than for regular diesel vehicles. It's also important to get the right kind of training for our mechanics who work on the CNG vehicles." On the plus side, the AFVs use less expensive fuel and reduce pollution caused by burning diesel.
The CNG and FFVs are purchased based on mandated levels dictated by the state and alternative fuel provider section of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The CNG-powered vehicles were first purchased in 1997. "The decision back then was based on cost savings and environmental concerns," Acevedo says. "Those are the same reasons we continue to add CNG vehicles to our fleet."
There's always room for more advanced vehicles--and UIC is interested in the all-electric, commercial Ford Transit Connect van, which is expected to have a range of 100 miles per charge and a top speed of 70 miles per hour.
"UIC's commitment to its alternative fuel program and its involvement in the coalition make it an exemplary fleet in the Chicago area," says Chicago Clean Cities Coordinator Samantha Bingham. "We are happy to assist UIC as well as other coalition members with everything from technical assistance to identifying funding."
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Responds to Demand for Green Vehicles
Last Updated: April 25, 2008
In an effort to meet consumer demand for environmentally friendly vehicles, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is deploying its first group of "Green" branches in Atlanta and continues to expand its number of "E85/FlexFuel" branches nationally. Enterprise is a part of the Taylor family of companies, which includes National Car Rental and Alamo. The combined companies make up the world's largest vehicle fleet, which currently includes 4,000 hybrids, 73,000 flexible fuel vehicles, and 440,000 fuel-efficient vehicles.
At four Atlanta, Georgia, locations, hybrids and fuel-efficient vehicles will comprise approximately 60% of the company's "Green Branch" fleets. These fleets will offer approximately 30 percent hybrid gas/electric vehicles and 30 percent fuel-efficient vehicles that average a highway fuel efficiency rating of at least 28 mpg. "For the past 50 years, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has steadily grown its business by consistently talking with and listening to its customers," says Dan Miller, vice president and general manager for Enterprise in Atlanta. "With Atlanta ranking among the top cities in average commute times, customers of Enterprise's metro Atlanta branches have expressed great interest in renting environmentally friendly vehicles, and we are responding by concentrating the largest number of hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles possible at these four area branches."
Enterprise also recently designated one of its Dallas-Fort Worth area rental locations as its first official "E85/FlexFuel Branch" in Texas. The location is at the Classic Chevrolet dealership located in Grapevine, Texas. Classic Chevrolet is also home to the nation's first dealership-owned public E85 pumps. Approximately 25% of the branch's vehicles will be General Motors flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs).
To build consumer awareness and increase the number of cars being fueled with E85, Enterprise is actively deploying the majority of its FFVs near E85 fueling stations. The Grapevine, Texas, E85/FlexFuel Branch joins similar Enterprise branches in Washington, D.C.; St. Louis, Missouri; Charlotte, North Carolina; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Cincinnati, Columbus: and Dayton, Ohio.
"Enterprise is committed to supporting new technologies and alternative fuels as they become commercially viable," says Miller. "We'll continue to make them more accessible to our customers."
Mineta San Jose Airport Expands CNG Service
Last Updated: April 16, 2008
The Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) received the 2007 National Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Achievement Award from the NGVAmerica for SJC's efforts toward making compressed natural gas (CNG) its primarily alternative fuel of choice. For example, by mid-2008, all of SJC's shuttle buses will be CNG. The airport's Alternative Fuels Program (AFP) has significantly improved air quality and reduced fuel costs of its ground transportation operations.
In 2008, airport management announced two new projects to encourage more public use of the airport's CNG fueling facility. One project involves encouraging more private taxis and shuttles operating at the airport to convert from gasoline and diesel to CNG through SJC's innovative $154,000 Alternative Fuels Grant Program (AFGP). The AFGP provides grants of $4,000 per taxi and $8,000 per shuttle van as incentives for CNG vehicle conversion. Since 2005, the airport has been conducting outreach to encourage taxi and shuttle van owners to convert to CNG via innovative incentives. Taxicab companies operating at SJC have placed 130 CNG taxis into service out of the airport's permitted fleet of 300 taxicabs, according to airport spokesman David Vossbrink.
The second project will entail the airport to spend an estimated $727,000 to upgrade the airport's CNG fueling station that has been in operation since 2003. The CNG station upgrade project will double the station's capacity to dispense 4 million gallons of CNG per year, enough to service all of the airport's shuttle bus fleet, all City of San Jose CNG vehicles, any new City CNG vehicles, all CNG taxis and door-to-door shuttle vans operating at the airport, as well as other public/private CNG fleets desiring to embrace SJC's AFP.
The projects will be partially funded by a $606,000 grant from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. For more information, contact Tom Stoflet, Environmental Manager, Mineta San Jose International Airport.
Light-Duty Fleet Brews Up Commitment to Petroleum Reduction
Last Updated: March 10, 2008
New Belgium Brewing, maker of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian inspired beers, was founded in 1991 by an electrical engineer and a social worker. So it's no surprise that the Fort Collins, Colorado, brewer has always looked for ways to be energy efficient and socially responsible. Since its beginning, the company has had an ongoing commitment to participate in developing technologies. Multiple programs within the company focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, maintaining healthy watersheds, building green buildings, recycling and reuse programs, and sustainability.
New Belgium Brewing is currently in the market for four new hybrid vehicles. "But we are seeing a shortage of hybrid vehicles in the market and the wait can be long," says New Belgium spokesperson, Christine Biegert. "We also need all-wheel or four-wheel drive capability for mountain driving but hybrid choices are limited. As a light-duty fleet, we have a five-year turnover cycle rather than a 15-year cycle typical of heavy-duty vehicles. So we want to use the most up-to-date transportation technology available."
New Belgium's fleet is 99 percent light-duty vehicles that are used by its sales representatives in 18 states. These vehicles average 1.4 million miles per year. In a fleet of 95 vehicles there are 23 Prius hybrids, three Ford Escape hybrids, and one Nissan Altima hybrid. In addition, there are five Dodge three-quarter ton Ram pickups that run on B20. Four medium duty box trucks also run on B20. The company is a stakeholder in the Northern Colorado Clean Cities Coalition, and transportation is a large part of its commitment to the environment.
"We have no policy or goal expressed in a percentage of alternative vehicles and alternative fuel," says Biegert. "But we are forward thinking in our use of vehicles."
To further support biofuels development, New Belgium has offered its land, CO2 derived from fermentation, and treated process waste water to Solix Biofuels for a research project to grow algae that can be used as a biodiesel feedstock. The treatment plant's anaerobic digestor is already producing methane as bacteria consume the organic waste material left after brewing. The methane gas is piped back into the building where it fires a combined heat and power engine that can provide up to 15 percent of the brewery's electricity. Solix's algae-to-biodiesel project is one more way to enhance New Belgium's support of sustainability through innovation.
For more information about this fleet on the move, contact Fleet Manager Christine Biegert.
Hoover Municipal Government Runs on Alternative Fuels
Last Updated: September 24, 2007
With a population of around 65,000, Hoover, Alabama, is the sixth largest city in the state. The City of Hoover currently operates 179 flex-fuel vehicles as well as 21 other light-duty vehicles, 60 medium- and heavy-duty trucks, two buses, two shuttles, and 96 off-road vehicles on B20, a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. The city currently boasts that 80% of the fuel used by its fleet is alternative fuel.
Hoover's police force operates 130 of the flex-fuel vehicles, which are fueled 100% of the time on E85. The remaining 49 flex-fuel vehicles are used by the city's administative personnel. Hoover has also started a test program to use B20 in its fire trucks and plans to forward the results to the National Fire Protection Association.
Hoover may also be the first municipal government in the U.S. to manufacture its own B100 using waste vegetable oil collected from local restaurants. The city also plans to start home collection of waste vegetable oil by providing gallon jugs to homeowners who want to participate.
"The price of the alternative fuels is below the price of petroleum fuel. With our own B100 production, we might even turn a profit," says David Lindon, fleet management director for the City of Hoover. "The mayor and the city council are committed to clean fuel. It's the right thing to do for our energy security and it's cost effective."
For more information about the alternative fuel program in Hoover, Alabama, contact David Lindon, Fleet Management Director, City of Hoover.
Alabama Police Fleet Boasts 100% AFVs
Last Updated: September 21, 2007
The Hoover, Alabama, Police Department (HPD) operates 130 flex-fuel vehicles on E85 at all times. The vehicles are Chevrolet Tahoe police pursuit vehicles, making HPD the largest E85-fueled law enforcement fleet in the nation. The FFVs are fueled onsite at the Hoover Public Safety Facility, which has two dispensers with two hoses each. The facility, which was built in 2004 with a grant from Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition provided by Alabama Partners for Clean Air, is available for use by other public agencies.
Each HPD officer carries an E85 fueling card that is activated by a personal identification number. Information, such as miles between refueling and gallons of ethanol pumped, is collected with each swipe of a card. This information is used for analysis.
HPD serves a population of 65,000 in the sixth largest city in Alabama. The City of Hoover first became interested in FFVs for its police fleet in 2004 when the Central Alabama coalition arranged for the department to demo a Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle. When considering the switch to the Chevrolet FFVs, the HPD was particularly impressed with the higher-octane levels ethanol offers.
The department didn't have any problems with driver acceptance. "By the time the vehicles arrived, many of the officers had test-driven the demo vehicle and had received training," according to David Lindon, the city's fleet management director.
The HPD estimates that it uses approximately 24,000 gallons of E85 a month. "The use of E85 is reducing air pollution and the city's dependency on foreign oil," says Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos. For more information about the Hoover, Alabama, police fleet, contact David Lindon, Fleet Management Director for the City of Hoover.
Carnegie Mellon University
Last Updated: September 21, 2007
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, Pa. is an environmentally responsible institution on several levels. A key element in its mission to reduce petroleum consumption on campus is to use alternative fuel vehicles whenever practical. In July 2007, six university shuttle buses began operating on B20 biodiesel fuel. The infrastructure for B20 has been established in the Pittsburgh area and the fuel is conveniently available at a local refueling location.
CMU had originally invested in compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles but found that the CNG infrastructure did not develop in the region as anticipated. "We found that infrastructure is an essential component for any alternative vehicle program to become sustainable," said Barbara Kviz, environmental coordinator in Facilities Management Services. The university is now in the process of selling its CNG vehicles.
A campus-wide survey conducted with faculty and staff reinforced CMU's expanded scope of interest in assisting employees with finding alternative transportation to work. Other approaches established to help reduce petroleum consumption include support for public transportation through bus passes provided to students, faculty, and staff and special parking privileges as a carpool incentive for commuters. Facilities Management Services also uses 10 electric vehicles for transportation around the grounds and a new fleet of campus police cars will use E85 ethanol fuel.
For more information, contact Barbara Kviz, Environmental Coordinator, Facilities Management Services, Carnegie Mellon University.
Limo Company Goes Green
Last Updated: September 19, 2007
Michael Fadis had been running limo company Kalacor Executive Service for about seven years when, in 2004, a client asked for a ride to a Toyota dealership to see the Prius. The visit got Fadis thinking about a new business venture: green limos.
After conducting an informal survey of his customers, he found that about three-quarters of them wanted to make "green" choices. That was enough for him. Less than a year later, Fadis launched a second company: Green Car Limo, a driver service that transports clients in one of its dozen hybrid electric vehicles (mostly Priuses).
Since starting his new company, Fadis thinks of himself as a "green evangelist" because he's converting his customers to be believers in the high-fuel-efficiency, low-pollution hybrids. He spends about $6,000 per car to outfit them with custom leather, extra soundproofing, and quieter tires and uses professional chauffeurs to drive them. The cars are proving popular with his regular customers, and he's attracting new customers all the time. In fact, Fadis says Green Car Limo is hired for Berkeley-area weddings about once every two weeks.
Fadis credits the "chauffeur-style" driving of his highly trained, largely European drivers with helping reach the high fuel economy the hybrids are capable of, as well as helping make the customers feel like they are still in a limo. His hybrid fleet averages about 47 miles per gallon (mpg), compared to about 18 mpg for his conventional Lincoln and Mercedes sedans and 15 mpg for his stretch limos. The original vehicles have logged 50,000 to 60,000 miles in a year and a half, and Fadis provides regular feedback on their performance to Toyota.
The Green Car Limo fleet is mostly comprised of Priuses but also includes a hybrid Toyota Camry and Lexus sport utility vehicle.
Fadis is currently thinking about expanding Green Car Limo to service New York, Los Angeles, and Shanghai.
Contact: Michael Fadis, 650-593-6323.
Tulsa Public Schools Ride on CNG
Last Updated: August 27, 2007
Several successful bond issues and zero-interest loans from the State of Oklahoma enabled Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) to convert 24 conventional school buses to compressed natural gas (CNG) in 1990. In 1997, TPS was awarded a U.S. Department of Energy State Energy Program Special Projects grant, which also helped TPS fund its alternative fueled fleet program. Oklahoma Natural Gas partnered with TPS and to help add an additional 40 school buses and 30 medium/heavy-duty vehicles (MD/HDVs) to their fleet. "The funding from the government has made implementing CNG vehicles into our fleet a very rewarding process," said Jim Taylor, TPS transportation in-house supervisor.
TPS currently operates 40 CNG school buses, 30 MD/HDVs, and 12 light-duty vehicles (LDVs) on CNG and consumes more than 200,000 gasoline gallon equivalents of CNG every year. TPS has a CNG fueling station on site, which is equipped with four large compressors that can fuel 380 CNG vehicles (slow fill); four fast-fill stations are also integrated into the infrastructure. CNG vehicles have lower emissions and lower operating costs because the fuel is significantly cheaper than diesel. The school district also uses other alternative fuels. It operates all 285 of its conventional petroleum diesel buses with biodiesel (B20), and would like to add an electric bus for testing.
For more information, visit the TPS Transportation Web page.
Iowa State Patrol Fuels with E85
Last Updated: August 27, 2007
In 2007, the Iowa State Patrol accepted delivery of the first 10 E85-compatible Ford Crown Victoria vehicles outfitted as patrol cars. An additional 119 E85 flexible-fuel vehicles are on order, and from this point forward, all Ford Crown Victorias ordered for the State Patrol will be E85 compatible. That means in just three years, the entire Iowa State Patrol will be able to run on the 85% corn-based fuel.
"Iowa is America's biofuels leader, producing more ethanol and biodiesel than any other state," says Governor Chester J. Culver. "We are the leaders in biofuels production and it is only fitting that our Iowa State Patrol cars run on clean-burning, Iowa-grown ethanol."
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Eugene T. Meyer agrees. "The addition of E85 compatible cars to our fleet and the use of Iowa grown ethanol demonstrate the department's commitment to a greater use of renewable energy."
For more information contact James J. Saunders at the Iowa Dept. of Public Safety.
Seattle Tacoma International Airport
Last Updated: August 22, 2007
In 2001, the Port of Seattle Aviation Division adopted a fleet vehicle purchase policy that required the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), whenever feasible and practical, to replace conventional petroleum vehicles. The Seattle Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport's fleet is currently composed of 60 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, including 16 buses and 41 light-duty vehicles (LDVs)--all of which display the slogan "Doing our share for cleaner air naturally." Sea-Tac's fleet also includes seven propane LDVs, nine hybrid LDVs and 91 ground support units that operate on electricity. In 2005, the Sea-Tac Airport received the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Excellence Award in recognition of the implementation of air quality programs such as the fleet vehicle purchase policy.
The Port required airport taxi and shuttle services to switch to CNG vehicles. Shuttle Express currently has 27 CNG shuttle vans serving the airport. Shuttle Express operates more than 33% of its total trip mileage using the CNG vans. The Seattle-Tacoma International Taxi Association operates all of its 166 taxi cab fleet with CNG-fueled Ford Crown Victorias. The Port of Seattle's Air Quality website reports that the CNG fleet is expected to produce 149 fewer tons of carbon monoxide and 24 fewer tons of oxides of nitrogen each year compared to conventional vehicles.
The Port partnered with Clean Energy to install, operate, and maintain a full-service CNG fueling station at Sea-Tac, which is open to the public and operates 24 hours a day. Sea-Tac currently has plans to add an additional public CNG fueling station, as well as increase the number of CNG buses in its fleet.
For more information, contact Russ Simonson, senior environmental program manager, Port of Seattle, Aviation Division, at simonson.r@portseattle.org.
Redwood National and State Parks
Last Updated: August 22, 2007
Located near Eureka, California, the Redwood National and State Parks are currently using a variety of alternative fuels in its fleet. They are using biodiesel (B20) to operate 32 heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) used for park maintenance. The park also uses five light-duty electric vehicles and two Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) for light maintenance and park transportation. In addition, the park has an electric tractor vehicle used to haul cleaning supplies to the restrooms, pick up and transport garbage, and to perform routine maintenance work. "The electric tractor is quieter than a conventional vehicle, and it does not disturb the wildlife as much," says Roads and Trails Supervisor Richard Mayle.Redwood National and State Parks currently has an onsite biodiesel (B20) refueling station. "Biodiesel is inconsistent because it usually takes a few weeks to get a shipment to our remote location. Sometimes the fuel arrives in a few days and other times it takes a couple of weeks," says Mayle. "Biodiesel also costs a little bit more than conventional fossil fuel diesel, but we have noticed that biodiesel is cleaner and seems better for the environment."
For additional information, visit the Redwood National and State Parks website or contact Richard Mayle at richard_mayle@nps.gov.
Unitrans Moves Passengers With CNG
Last Updated: August 22, 2007
Unitrans, a student-run transit system that serves the University of California at Davis and the City of Davis, currently operates 27 compressed natural gas (CNG) transit buses, five CNG shuttle buses, two electric light-duty vehicles, 11 medium- and heavy-duty CNG vehicles, and four light-duty CNG-powered vehicles. Unitrans is among the first fleets in the nation to develop a transit bus that will operate on a hydrogen/CNG mixture; the company plans to begin testing by the end of 2007. Two hundred student employees and 14 career employees run the system, which transports 20,000 passengers each weekday (more than 3 million annually). About 95% of Unitrans' mileage is driven by alternative fuel buses.
Unitrans currently has its own CNG fueling station and plans to complete a new hydrogen/CNG refueling station, as well. "CNG compressors and related equipment are best protected from the elements within an enclosed structure. Completing the planned blended hydrogen/CNG fueling station has been very difficult because local safety personnel have required a wide array of safety elements that were not anticipated during the planning phase," explains General Manager Geoff Straw. "It seems that we're establishing new protocols due to the unique nature of the project. For this reason, the hydrogen compressor had to be located outside the existing CNG compressor/equipment building, which has delayed completion of the project for the past two years."
In addition to the CNG/hydrogen start up challenges, Straw indicated that "the technological learning curve was steep for our technicians. In fact, many of my peers in the transit industry and I are having difficulty finding trained compressed-fuel technicians." Two additional factors have surfaced in the process of operating a CNG fleet. Planning has had to include the increased capital costs of operating CNG vehicles due to the 15-year life of the vehicle's CNG fueling tanks. "We have two options when the CNG tanks have reached their maximum operational life. We can replace the tanks (about $75K per vehicle) or replace the vehicle entirely, both of which require large amounts of funds. With a conventional diesel vehicle, we can replace old/dirty engines with newer/cleaner diesel engines and the bus can operate for a much longer time with little financial investment." Another important factor is the limited number of CNG engine manufacturers in the transit market. Straw indicates that "some of us who have invested in CNG infrastructure are concerned about future pricing and support."
Despite these challenges, Unitrans is committed to clean technology and has selected CNG as its fuel of choice. "The low per-mile fuel cost of natural gas is attractive. It's a proven technology and we've had 12 years of experience with it." says Straw.
Contact Unitrans at http://unitrans.ucdavis.edu/ or Geoff Straw at gdstraw@ucdavis.edu.
