Alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technologies lower the federal government's dependency on petroleum while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. FEMP also works closely with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Program to ensure fleet managers have the latest information to better manage vehicle fleets.
Alternative Fuel Vehicles
Each year, federal agencies acquire approximately 25,000 alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), the vast majority of which are flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) capable of operating on any mixture of E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) and gasoline.
A significant number of federal diesel-fueled vehicles utilize biodiesel mixtures in the form of pure biodiesel (B100) or a blend of biodiesel and petroleum diesel (usually B20, a mixture of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel).
The federal fleet also includes vehicles that use the following fuels:
- Compressed natural gas (CNG)
- Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
- Liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
- Propane
- Hydrogen.
The resources listed below help federal fleet managers identify alternative fuel vehicles that best suit their needs.
- Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) Vehicles: Information on a wide variety of vehicle types, including light-duty vehicle and heavy-duty vehicle searches.
- Flexible Fuel Vehicles: Providing a Renewable Fuel Choice: Guide to FFV technology, performance, and cost.
- U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Alternative-Fuel Vehicles: GSA resource center covering alternative-fuel vehicle requirements and implementation resources.
- GSA Vehicle Buying: Overview of GSA vehicle buying processes and guidelines for federal agency fleets.
- GSA Vehicle Leasing: Overview of GSA vehicle leasing processes and guidelines for federal agency fleets.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Vehicle Guide: Overview of vehicle greenhouse gas scores as determined by the EPA.
Advanced Vehicle Technologies
In locations where alternative fuel is unavailable or where infrastructure development is unlikely, advanced vehicle technologies may be utilized.
Advanced powertrains (e.g., hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell, and battery electric) are being deployed at select locations, and FEMP is actively monitoring their success. Information on the availability of these technologies as well as their performance is shared at INTERFUEL meetings.
The following advanced vehicle technology resources can help fleet managers identify the advanced vehicles best suited for their needs.
- AFDC Vehicles: Information on a wide variety of vehicle types, including:
- New Alternative Fuel Vehicle Definitions under Section 2862 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008: Information on the National Defense Authorization Act and its language regarding new alternative fuel vehicles.
Keep Vehicles Cooler and Reduce Petroleum Use
Federal fleet managers can take many steps to increase vehicle fuel efficiency. FEMP encourages drivers to reduce air-conditioning loads by:
- Driving light-colored vehicles
- Improving vehicle ventilation
- Using windshield sun reflectors.
Learn more about improving vehicle fuel efficiency in sections 5.3 through 5.5 of the Federal Fleet Management Handbook.