US President Obama in Oval Office meeting
One million alternative fueled vehicles by Dec 31 2015
President Barack Obama has issued a Memorandum requiring the Federal fleet, the largest fleet of light duty vehicles in America, to lead by example to help meet national goals of reducing oil imports by one-third by 2025 and putting one million advanced vehicles on the road by 2015. Federal government agencies are accordingly instructed to acquire alternative fueled vehicles, including those operating on natural gas (CNG, LNG, biomethane), and to make sure vehicles with multi-fuel capabilities actually use alternative fuels. Investment in fueling infrastructure is recommended where inadequate supply exists.
The memorandum sets out measures, with time limitations for compliance, to help achieve Federal fleet performance goals first iterated in October 2009 (Executive Order 13514). In summary –
- By December 31, 2015, all new light duty vehicles leased or purchased by agencies must be alternative fueled vehicles. Those vehicles must use, and be able to readily source, the alternative fuel for which they were designed.
- Executive fleets are required to achieve maximum fuel efficiency and be sized in shape and performance to that essential to meet agency needs.
- The General Services Administration (GSA) shall develop and distribute to agencies a Vehicle Allocation Methodology (VAM) for determining the optimum fleet inventory, eliminating non-essential vehicles and assisting agencies in selecting vehicle options based on lifecycle cost analysis, including projected fuel costs, warranty, operations, mileage, maintenance, and disposal.
- Targets defined using the GSA VAM will be published on Agency websites. Plans approved by GSA must be achievable by end December 2015.
- Under strict guidelines certain vehicles may be exempted, as used for law enforcement, protective, emergency response, or military tactical operations.
This article compiled using information from the Office of the Press Secretary (White House).
