Departments Consider Replacing Gas With Alternative Fuels
Alternative fuels are one way governmental fleet managers are addressing the rising impact of gas prices. The city of Santa Monica, Calif., was an early adopter of alternative fuels, and now the city’s police department is increasing its efforts in reducing fuel costs using this strategy.
Santa Monica developed this policy to reduce its vehicle emissions in 1993 with an overriding goal that included having at least 75 percent of its vehicles be powered by alternative fuels. These could include a combination of options, from natural gas to propane to electric. Some 15 years after the policy was implemented, more than 84 percent of the municipal fleet vehicles are now using some sort of alternative fuel, and the police department is increasing its efforts.
With natural gas vehicles, the cost per gallon of fuel is significantly cheaper than gasoline or diesel, according to Santa Monica Fleet Administrator Rick Sykes. He also says the quality of an alternative fueled vehicle’s drive is significantly better.
Additionally, given that the City of Santa Monica spans just eight square miles, developing a natural gas fueling infrastructure has been relatively simple. Fueling stations have been installed at the city’s main garage and at the municipal bus line station. Clean Energy, the largest provider of natural gas for vehicle use in North America, has also opened a natural gas station available to the public within the city limits. “Fuel savings are associated with long-term, even with the short-term costs of infrastructure,” Sykes says. “The more gas prices rise, the more money we plan on saving long-term.”
Midland County (Mich.) Sheriff Jerry Nielsen mandated that his deputies drive no more than 180 miles per 12-hour shift to cut down on gas consumption, according to the Bay City Times. That fact has Nielsen and his department considering propane as an alternative fuel source. “(Propane is) supposed to burn cleaner, get better gas mileage, and it’s cheaper than gasoline,” Nielsen said. On average propane is selling for $1 a gallon less than gasoline in mid-Michigan.
