California Acquisition Requirements
Alternative Fuel Promotion - San Jose
As part of San Jose's Green Vision (PDF 161 KB), the City of San Jose has committed to several alternative fuel and hybrid electric transportation goals:
1) Increase the use of alternative energy vehicles for airport operations and encourage the use of zero-emission transportation modes to and from the airport.
2) Establish a research center to encourage the development of alternative fuel vehicles for use in mass and private transit.
3) Create local policies to encourage residents and businesses to use zero emission and hybrid electric vehicles.
4) Implement a Green Fleet Policy (PDF 423 KB) to ensure that 100% of public fleet vehicles run on alternative fuels by 2022.
Mobile Source Emissions Reduction Requirements
Through its Mobile Sources Program, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) has developed programs and policies to reduce emissions. A drayage/port truck rule regulates heavy-duty diesel-fueled vehicles that transport cargo to and from California's ports and intermodal rail facilities. The rule requires that drayage trucks be equipped with engines certified to current California or federal emissions standards. A public transit bus rule regulates public transit fleets and sets emission reduction standards for new urban transit buses. The rule allows transit fleets to choose one of two options in order to meet their emissions reduction requirements: using alternative fuels, including zero-emission buses; or clean diesel, including retrofit devices. A solid waste collection vehicle rule regulates solid waste collection vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 14,000 pounds or more, operate on diesel fuel, have 1960 through 2006 engine models, and collect waste for a fee. The fleet rule for public agencies and utilities requires fleets to install Best Available Control Technology devices on vehicles or purchase vehicles that run on alternative fuels or use advanced technologies to achieve emissions requirements by specified implementation dates. (Reference California Code of Regulations Title 13, 2021-2027)
Public Agency Fleet Emissions Reduction Requirements - South Coast
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has the authority to require government fleets and private contractors under contract with public entities to purchase cleaner, alternative fuel vehicles. The rule applies to transit buses, school buses, refuse haulers, and other vehicles, and has set alternative fuel vehicle purchasing requirements for public and commercial fleets that operate in Southern California. The rules are applicable in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties. (Reference SCAQMD Rules 1186.1 and 1191-1196)
Point of Contact
Fleet Rule Implementation Hotline
South Coast Air Quality Management District
Phone (909) 396-3044
fleetrules@aqmd.gov
http://www.aqmd.gov/tao/FleetRules
Fleet Vehicle Procurement Requirements
When awarding a vehicle procurement contract, every city, county, and special district, including school and community college districts, is authorized to require that 75% of the passenger cars and/or light-duty trucks acquired be energy-efficient vehicles. By definition, this includes hybrid electric vehicles or alternative fuel vehicles that meet California's advanced technology partial zero emission vehicle (AT PZEV) standards. Vehicle procurement contracts are also authorized to evaluate fuel economy and life-cycle factors. (Reference California Public Resources Code 25725-25726)
Fleet Fuel Use and Vehicle Acquisition Requirements - San Francisco
The City of San Francisco (City) requires that diesel vehicles in the City's municipal fleet operate using biodiesel blends of at least 20% (B20). City departments must also pursue actions to use higher biodiesel blends, up to and including neat biodiesel (B100). Additionally, bi-fuel vehicles owned by the City are not allowed to use petroleum-based fuels while operating within the City and County of San Francisco. All vehicles purchased or leased by City departments must meet or exceed specified emissions standards. (Reference Executive Directive 06-02, 2006, and City and County of San Francisco Environmental Code 406-407)
Vehicle Acquisition and Petroleum Reduction Requirements
The California Department of General Services (DGS) is responsible for maintaining specifications and standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks that are purchased or leased for use by state offices, agencies, and departments. These specifications include minimum vehicle emission standards and encourage the purchase or lease of fuel-efficient and alternatively fueled vehicles. On an annual basis, the DGS must compile information including, but not limited to, the number of alternative fuel and hybrid electric vehicles acquired, the locations of the alternative fuel pumps available for those vehicles, and the total amount of alternative fuels used.
Vehicles owned or leased by the state that are capable of operating on alternative fuel must operate on that fuel unless the alternative fuel is not available. Additionally, the Secretary of State and Consumer Services, in consultation with the DGS and other appropriate state agencies, must develop, implement, and submit to the Legislature and the Governor, a plan to increase the state fleet's use of alternative fuels, synthetic lubricants, and fuel-efficient vehicles. This must be done by reducing or displacing the fleet's consumption of petroleum products by 10% by January 1, 2012, and 20% by January 1, 2020, as compared to the 2003 consumption level. The DGS must also take steps to transfer vehicles between agencies and departments to ensure that the most fuel-efficient vehicles are used and to eliminate the least fuel-efficient vehicles from the state's motor vehicle fleet. Beginning April 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, the DGS must provide progress reports to the California Department of Finance, related legislative committees of the Legislature, and the general public via the DGS Web site.
(Reference Executive Order S-14-09, 2009, and California Public Resources Code 25722.5, 25722.6, and 25722.8)
