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Federal Fleets

FEMP's Transportation Mission

The Transportation group in FEMP provides guidance on and assistance for the efficient use of the Federal Government's vehicles. FEMP encourages and facilitates Federal agencies' use of Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) and alternate fuels by providing services such as INTERFUELS, a monthly working group, and other interagency and industry collaborations, which are described further below.

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Federal Leadership by Example

FEMP's Transportation group aims to reduce the Federal Government's petroleum consumption through increased AFV use and to lead the country in renewable energy and oil consumption use. The Federal vehicle fleet consists of 650,000 vehicles; approximately 20% (121,778) are AFVs.

FEMP's Transportation Services

FEMP's Transportation group offers an array of services that include:

• Technical Information: FEMP provides points of contact from our knowledgeable staff that stands ready to answer questions.
• Guidance documents: FEMP provides guidance documents to inform and support your energy efficiency needs.
• Data Collection and Annual Reports: The Department of Energy (DOE), along with the General Services Administration (GSA), provides the Federal Automotive Statistical Tool (FAST), a Web-based tracking system. FEMP compiles data from FAST to report status and progress in Annual Reports.
• Case studies: FEMP publishes case studies that highlight best practices and provides an in-depth look at specific technologies and strategies.
• Information and links to related resources.
• Updates on Federal Government actions towards Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
• Outreach through: INTERFUELS, Industry Day, Interagency Task Force Meetings.
• Legislative Analysis: FEMP interprets and helps implement new legislation (described below), as well as evaluate proposed and enacted Federal fleet mandates.

Federal Fleet Requirements

Federal agencies must comply with the Federal Fleet requirements:

• Energy Independence and Security Act
• Executive Order 13423
• Energy Policy Act of 2005
• Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act
• Energy Policy Act of 1992

Energy Independence and Security Act, December 2007

The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 directs that each agency develop and implement a plan for Federal Fleet conservation; and for DOE to establish interim milestones to assess annual agency progress. EISA also directs that by 2010 each Federal agency will install at least one renewable fuel pump at each Federal fleet fueling center and that each Federal agency will achieve a 20% reduction in petroleum consumption by 2015 from a fiscal year (FY) 2005 baseline. EISA also requires agencies to increase alternative fuel 10% each year from a FY 2005 baseline.

Executive Order 13423, January 2007

On January 24, 2007, President Bush signed Executive Order (E.O.) 13423: Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management (PDF 105 KB). E.O. 13423 is a mandate that requires agencies with 20 or more vehicles in the United States to decrease petroleum consumption by 2% per year, relative to their FY 2005 baseline through FY 2015. E.O. 13423 also requires agencies to increase alternative fuel use by 10% per year relative to the previous year. E.O. 13423 revokes E.O. 13149, which was signed in April 2000. Instruction on how to implement the new requirements are available (PDF 298 KB).

Energy Policy Act, August 2005

Section 701 of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005 states that dual-fueled vehicles acquired pursuant to this section shall be operated on alternative fuels unless the Secretary determines that an agency qualifies for a waiver of such requirement for vehicles operated by the agency in a particular geographic area in which:

• The alternative fuel otherwise required to be used in the vehicle is not reasonably available to retail purchasers of the fuel, as certified to the Secretary by the head of the agency; or

• The cost of the alternative fuel otherwise required to be used in the vehicle is unreasonably more expensive compared to gasoline, as certified to the Secretary by the head of the agency.

  • The Secretary shall monitor compliance with this subparagraph by all such fleets and shall report annually to Congress on the extent to which the requirements of this subparagraph are being achieved. The report shall include information on annual reductions achieved from the use of petroleum-based fuels and the problems, if any, encountered in acquiring alternative fuels.

To learn more, read the latest draft guidance, released June 2008 (PDF 214 KB).

Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act, November 1998

The Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act (ECRA) of 1998 amended EPAct of 1992 to allow fleets to generate one AFV acquisition credit for every 450 gallons of pure biodiesel (B100, equivalent to 2,250 gallons of B20) purchased for use in diesel vehicles more than 8,500 lb gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). To receive credit for an AFV acquisition, the biodiesel must be neat (B100) or in blends that contain by volume at least 20% biodiesel (B20). Federal fleets are allowed to use these credits only to fulfill up to 50% of their EPAct of 1992 requirements. These credits can be claimed only in the year in which the fuel is purchased for use, and they cannot be traded among fleets.

Energy Policy Act, October 1992

The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 set forth the statutory requirements for the acquisition of AFVs by Federal agencies. In FY 2000 and beyond, 75% of light-duty vehicle (LDV) acquisitions in covered fleets must be AFVs. Vehicles that weigh less than 8,500 lb GVWR are considered LDVs. EPAct requirements apply to fleets of 20 or more LDVs that are centrally fueled or "capable of being centrally fueled" and are primarily operated in a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)/Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA). Vehicles heavier than 8,500 lb GVWR or not located or operated primarily in a covered MSA or CMSA are exempt from the requirements. Law enforcement, emergency, and military tactical vehicles are also exempt. For FY 1999 and beyond, 75% of a Federal fleet's covered vehicle acquisitions must be AFVs.

To find out whether your fleet is covered under EPAct, start with the list of MSAs/CMSAs on the Vehicle Technologies Program Web site.

Compliance with EPAct is met by AFV acquisition credits, which are granted on the basis of the number of AFVs acquired and the quantity of biodiesel fuel used. Agencies earn one AFV acquisition credit toward EPAct compliance for each AFV acquisition. Extra credits are awarded for dedicated light-, medium-, and heavy-duty AFVs. Federal fleets cannot bank credits or trade them with other agencies.