Non-Tactical Vehicles

non_tactical

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) has been designated as the Central Manager of the Navy’s Base Support Vehicles and Equipment (BSVE) Program. Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) are an integral part of this program. The Navy’s non-tactical vehicle fleet consists of 46,485 light, medium and heavy duty vehicles and equipment, fire fighting and weight handling equipment. Approximately half of the light and medium vehicles are alternatively-fueled. The AFV program has been strategically implemented to effectively and efficiently use existing alternative fuel sources in converting the fleet to various alternative-fuels vehicle and establishing infrastructure to maintain alternative fuel usage.  

NAVFAC has made significant progress over the last seven years to reduce dependence on foreign oil. These accomplishments include: 

  • Reduced petroleum consumption by 31 percent from 2005 to 2009;
  • Exceeded AFV acquisition goal of 75 percent seven years in a row; against an acquisition requirement of 2,315 vehicles it acquired 2,649 AFV/credits in 2009, or 114 percent ;
  • Used over 169,198 gallons of Biodiesel (B20) and 226,126 gallons of E85 in 2009 with significant infrastructure improvements in 2009 for both E-85 and Biodiesel;
  • Replaced more than 900 gasoline vehicles with Neighborhood Electric vehicles (NEVs) and are currently in the process of replacing more than 500 gasoline vehicles, including buses with hybrid electric vehicles;
  • Procurement of a Heavy Diesel-Hybrid Refuse Hauler as part a program to evaluate performance and fuel efficiencies of heavy duty vehicles.

The BSVE community is engaged in various pilots, initiatives, and researching new technologies such as car-sharing, GPS monitoring, low-rolling resistant tires, real time fuel economy indicators in an effort to reduce fossil fuel usage. 

In addition, NAVFAC BSVE has been exploring opportunities to increase alternative fuel use by partnering with the Navy Exchange (NEX) and private industry to convert existing infrastructure or open new E85 and B20 fueling stations. Four E85 and B20 stations have opened recently at navy installations in the Pacific Northwest, two by the NEX and two CNIC/NAVFAC owned. NEX will open additional E85 infrastructure in Norfolk. NEX and CNIC/NAVFAC Hawaii are planning to open E85 and B20 infrastructure in the near future.

A Regional AFV Strategy is in development and will include vehicle and infrastructure requirements, as well as details of the various initiative mentioned above, that will lead the Navy to further reductions of fossil fuel and support EO and SECNAV goals.