The National Energy Policy Act, passed in 1992, requires that all companies with fleets of vehicles must purchase vehicles that can use fuels other than gasoline or diesel in increasingly higher percentages beginning with the federal government fleets in 1993. Federal, state and municipal government agencies; fuel providers (such as electricity and natural gas utilities); and private companies all have an obligation to purchase new alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs).
By 2006, 75 percent of new vehicles purchased by the federal government, 75 percent of state vehicles, 90 percent of fuel providers, and 70 percent of municipal government and private fleets are supposed to be AFVs.
When determining what alternative of fuels to use, private vehicle owners and fleet managers should weigh all the factors: economics, available models, rebates, incentives, the ease of refueling and number of fueling facilities. They should also consider whether the vehicle they choose is a dedicated or a bi-fuel vehicle, as well as its operating range, trade-in value, and cost of maintenance.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program has a new Web Site designed to educate fleet managers and policy makers about AFVs. Please go to: www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/fleets/
If you need additional information, please contact the following:
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California Energy Commission
American Coalition for Ethanol
American Methanol Institute
California NGV Coalition |
California Electric Transportation Coalition
National Propane Gas Association
National Alternative Fuels Hotline
Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition |