Alternative transportation fuels and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) can help ensure U.S. energy security by displacing imported petroleum. One way the United States is encouraging the use of alternative fuels and AFVs is through regulations that increase the number of AFVs in federal, state, and alternative fuel provider fleets. These fleets are subject to Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct). In addition, federal fleets must comply with Executive Order (E.O.) 13149.
EPAct requires covered fleets to purchase alternative fuel vehicles that can run on nonpetroleum fuels, including natural gas, electricity, ethanol, biodiesel, propane, and hydrogen. Under EPAct, a certain percentage of a fleet's annual new light-duty vehicles must be AFVs. E.O. 13149 goes a step further by requiring federal fleets to reduce petroleum consumption by 20% by 2005, compared to their 1999 fuel use. Learn more about these regulations and requirements in the Key Activities section.
NREL's Regulatory Support efforts help the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) carry out the legislative activities of EPAct and the E.O. 13149 mandate. By providing DOE with fleet assistance and data, policy, and technical analysis, NREL helps implement alternative fuel, AFV, and fuel economy regulations.
NREL's Regulatory Support work is funded by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This research supports several NREL programs and is led by the Center for Transportation Technologies and Systems.
NREL's Regulatory Support research supports the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Program.
