Resource Center
Alternative Fuels
Fast-paced changes occur in the alternative fuels arena, especially with regard to technology, laws, regulations, OEM vehicle availability, incentives, etc. NAFA provides many ways to help you obtain the latest information.
NAFA-Developed Information
NAFA promptly advises members of changes in laws, regulations, and conditions through articles in the NAFAConnection newsletter and NAFA’s FLEETSolutions magazine. These are member-only services. If you are not a member, please click here to join now.
NAFA’s Fuel Management Guide provides information every fleet manager needs to know to comply with regional environmental policies and regulations and remain up to date on alternative fuels and emerging technology. This Guide addresses all of these issues as they pertain to conventional and alternative fuels in the context of both in-house and commercial fuel programs for centralized and decentralized fleets. Click here to visit the NAFA store to download your copy!
NAFA’s U.S. Legislative counsel updates a summary of the status of federal U.S. laws and regulations. For a current report, follow this link.
U.S. Government Information
The U.S. Department of Energy oversees initiatives that encourage or require the use of alternative fuels and vehicles, as well as other petroleum-reduction measures in U.S. fleets. Established by the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 and amended by EPAct 2005 and other regulations, these initiatives include Clean Cities and the Federal Fleet and State and Alternative Fuel Provider requirements.
Clean Cities
Clean Cities is a voluntary government-industry partnership designed to advance the nation’s economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of petroleum consumption. Clean Cities provides tools and resources to its almost 90 community-centered coalitions to help them support area stakeholders interested in reducing petroleum consumption in their fleets. For more information about Clean Cities, visit www.cleancities.energy.gov.
To get the word out about petroleum-reduction technologies and measures, Clean Cities sponsors the Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center, a comprehensive Web site (www.afdc.energy.gov) that contains information about alternative fuels and vehicles, hybrids, idle reduction, and more. It also hosts a wealth of helpful interactive tools, including the Alternative Fueling Station Locator, vehicle cost calculators, and a searchable database of transportation-related incentives and laws. Also sponsored in part by Clean Cities is www.FuelEconomy.gov, a helpful Web site that allows fleets to find and compare vehicle fuel economy ratings, emissions, performance, and more.
Federal Fleet Requirements
Federal fleets are subject to several statutory requirements, executive orders, and other policies that apply to fleet management, alternative fuel use, and petroleum-reduction. To learn more about Federal fleet requirements, visit www.eere.energy.gov/femp/program/fedfleet_requirements.html.
State and Alternative Fuel Provider Requirements
Certain state government and alternative fuel provider fleets are required to acquire a percentage of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) each year or reduce petroleum consumption in lieu of acquiring AFVs. For more information, about the state and alternative fuel provider fleet requirements, visit https://epact.energy.gov/.
Alternative Fuels Hotline
The DOE funds a toll-free hotline where live humans can provide answers to many questions relating to alternative fuels. From the U.S., dial 1-800-423-1363 or send an email request to hotline@afdc.nrel.gov
NAFA has partnered with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to develop a simple Greenhouse Gas Calculator. This tool will help you measure your fleet’s greenhouse gas emissions using fuel consumption data you already have. Click on the footprint to begin.
Canadian Government Information
Officials at Natural Resources Canada consolidate their information on alternative fuels at http://alt-fuels.nrcan.gc.ca/home_e.htm. This website offers a wide variety of information in English and French. Some specific pages on this website of special interest to fleets include:
Database that calculates incentives, grants, and costs by province: http://qtool-e.nrcan.gc.ca
