GOOGLE’S CORPORATE DNA p20
A BOBIT PUBLICATION
●
MAMMOTH PROPANE SHUTTLES p22
●
WWW.GREENFLEETMAGAZINE.COM
AT&T REACHES MILESTONES p24
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
VOL. 1, NO. 4
STEPS
TO CREATE FLEET ECO-DRIVERS Eminently Efficient: Alt-Fuel Vehicles Reach Tipping Point Kansas City, Mo., Invests in CNG Vehicles ‘Big Easy’ Rolls out the ‘Green’ Carpet
GFLEET1111cover.indd 991
10/13/11 1:59:22 PM
7KHVH FRPSDQLHV DUH PDNLQJ D GLIIHUHQFH
MEMBER COMPANIES 9LVLW ZZZ ÀHHWVIRUFKDQJH FRP IRU WKH FRPSOHWH OLVW RI PHPEHU FRPSDQLHV
-RLQ )OHHWV IRU &KDQJH DQG EH SDUW RI D EROG LQGXVWU\ ZLGH HIIRUW WR FRQVHUYH IXHO FXW JUHHQKRXVH JDV HPLVVLRQV DQG VDYH PRQH\ &RPSDQLHV WKDW SOHGJH WR )OHHWV IRU &KDQJH DJUHH WR WDNH DFWLRQ WR UHGXFH YHKLFOH HPLVVLRQV DQG UHSRUW SURJUHVV FRQ¿GHQWLDOO\ DQG VHFXUHO\ WR )OHHWV IRU &KDQJH
($721 &2&$ &2/$ 0$(56. ,%0 &+(6$3($.( (1(5*< ,7: %/22' 6<67(06 )/2:6(59( 86,& 08/7,%$1' 5286+ &/($17(&+ 7+<66(1.5833 (/(9$725 ;(52; &25325$7,21
7R ¿QG RXW KRZ \RX FDQ MRLQ WKHVH FRPSDQLHV FDOO ZZZ Ã&#x20AC;HHWVIRUFKDQJH FRP
7KHUH LV QR FRVW WR SDUWLFLSDWH LQ WKLV HIIRUW
FOUNDING MEMBERS
SUPPORTERS ®
For more information on Clinton Global Initiative: ZZZ FOLQWRQJOREDOLQLWLDWLYH RUJ
COMMERCIAL FLEET 20% GHG EMISSIONS REDUCTION | $ &/,1721 */2%$/ ,1,7,$7,9( &200,70(17 72 $&7,21 FLEETS FOR CHANGE MISSION: 7R ZRUN WRJHWKHU WR FUHDWH ODVWLQJ DQG PHDQLQJIXO Ã&#x20AC;HHW LQGXVWU\ FKDQJH E\ VLJQL¿FDQWO\ UHGXFLQJ JUHHQKRXVH JDV HPLVVLRQV RYHU WKH QH[W ¿YH \HDUV Â&#x2039; )OHHWV IRU &KDQJH $OO ULJKWV UHVHUYHG
GFLEET1111toc.indd 992 GRN1111donlen.indd 1
10/14/11 10:28:01 AM 10/14/11 9:58:18 AM
CO
CONTENTS N O V E M B E R
/
D E C E M B E R
2 0 1 1
●
V O L U M E
1
●
N O. . 4
features 6 Eminently Efficient MY-2012 could be a turning point in the mix of hybrid, electric, and fuel-efficient vehicles available from OEMs. Alt-fuel vehicles are no longer exotic curiosities, but full-fledged members of the automotive community.
12 8 Steps to Create Fuel-Saving Eco-Drivers
16
Most studies agree that at least one-third of a fleet’s overall fuel efficiency is directly impacted by a driver’s actions behind the wheel. An effective driver behavior modification program can help tap the fuel savings of improved driver habits.
16 Kansas City Gets Motivated for Natural Gas The City of Kansas City, Mo., once had a pilot program of just 12 CNG-powered fleet units. Today, through dedicated grant seeking, the CNG fleet now nears 300 units — roughly 8 percent of its total fleet.
20
20 Google’s Corporate DNA Internet giant Google pioneered its Gfleet car-share program in 2007 with a fleet of Prius vehicles. It recently traded those in for Chevrolet’s Volt and Nissan’s LEAF.
22 Mammoth Cave National Park: Balancing Sustainability & Functionality Traveling up to 475 miles and utilizing around 80 gallons of fuel per day during its peak season, the national park depends on propane autogas to help reduce its carbon footprint.
24
24 AT&T Reaches Milestones in 10-Year Alt-Fuel Program The telecommunications company purchased its 4,000th alternative-fuel vehicle and its 3,000th compressed natural gas-fueled vehicle this year. AT&T is now well on its way toward meeting its 15,000 alt-fuel vehicle goal by 2018.
departments 2 Letters 4 Industry News
28 ‘Big Easy’ Rolls Out Red Carpet for
30 Transit Showcase
Renewable Fuels Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuel Partnership (SLCFP) brings biodiesel and ethanol to local film productions.
32 Editorial On the Cover: ©istockphoto.com/ enjoynzenjoynz
22 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 ■ GREEN FLEET
GFLEET1111toc.indd 1 10/14/11 9:58:18 AM
1
10/14/11 10:28:01 AM
LETTERS CAFE INCREASES TO 54.5 MPG A BOBIT PUBLICATION
Speaking Directly to Me
p8
●
KRYSTAL INFINITY’S EVOLUTION
p26
●
‘THE LAST MILE’ ECO-DRIVING
WWW.GREENFLEETMAGAZINE.COM
www.greenfleetmagazine.com p36
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2011
VOL.1, NO. 3
fu fuel-savings programs. At UC Davis, we also noticed the distinct D overlap in safe-driving and ecoov driving techniques when producing dr online training modules in these on categories last year. It’s a winca win scenario that offers multiple w avenues to encourage and train on av the same basic practices. th Richard Battersby Director of Fleet Services U University of California, Davis Davis, Calif.
It seems like your editorial in n the September/October 2011 issuee on modifying driver behavior to green a fleet was speaking directSUSTAINABILIT Y ly to me. I have been touting the SLU GGERS ACHIEVE ALL-STAR FAME benefits of driver behavior modification to reduce fuel consumption for several years now. There are three great benefits of this: 1. It doesn’t matter what vehicles l are in your fleet, this works across the board. 2. You receive immediate results. 3. It is ongoing. Once a driver changes his Pretend You Have No Brakes or her behavior, this becomes a part of his or I read the September/October editorial her typical driving habits and the beneficial reabout modifying driver behavior and want to sults do not end. let you know it was really to the point. When I You mentioned the safety benefits of this was learning to drive trucks, the instructor said method of fuel preservation. Again, you are the most important thing to do was “pretend right on the mark for all of the reasons you you don’t have any brakes.” He said that one stated. Also, driving economically requires act alone would make us all safer drivers and the driver to be more aware of his or her drivmore conscious of the right way to drive in ing actions and surroundings. For example, traffic, unfamiliar surroundings, bad-weather scanning ahead allows you to see a red light conditions, etc. So, now let’s add the “ecowell in advance and ease off the gas sooner. factor” to his list! This reduces fuel consumption, saves wear It made a lot of sense to me then, and it on the brakes, and decreases the risk of bemakes a lot more sense now. ing struck from behind because you are comLouis Pastras II ing to a gradual, versus an abrupt, stop. This Director, Key Account Development & is an example of a driver who is paying attenGovernment Business tion to the task of driving. Paying attention is Automotive Resources the absolute key to safe driving, and eco-drivInternational (ARI) ing helps drivers to remain focused when they Mt. Laurel, N.J. are behind the wheel. Wow, saving fuel and being safe. That is truIndustry Needs to Support the ly a win-win. 2025 CAFE Standard Any time the president of the United States Phil Moser sets a mandate for better fuel economy, the Vice President auto industry does rise to the occasion, albeit Advanced Driver Training Services with slow progress. I’m sure the technology is Trooper, Pa. already in its hands. I support the government Low-Cost, High-Impact increasing the CAFE mandate. Opportunity for Green Fleets Submitted via e-mail by Chet The September/October issue editorial on modifying driver behavior to green a fleet was a COMMENTS? great article! This is truly a low-cost, high-impact THOUGHTS? opportunity for fleet managers. Dave Head in OPINIONS? Sonoma County, Calif., and Bob Stanton, when he worked for Polk County, Fla., (now director Green Fleet wants to hear from you! E-mail of fleet management for Hillsborough County, Mike.Antich@bobit.com with your letters, Fla.) have pioneered in this area, which is often thoughts, story ideas, and more. overlooked in pursuit of more “glamorous” Digging out From the Data Avalanche
Why Medium-Duty Trucks are Prime Candidates for All-Electric Models Sprint/Nextel Greens Fleet the ‘SmartWay’
GRN0911cover.indd 991
9/9/11 7:42:18 AM
2
Vice President Group Publisher, Auto Group Sherb Brown
Editor
Mike Antich (310) 533-2467
Managing Editor Lauren Fletcher (310) 533-2415
Senior Editor
Grace L. Suizo (310) 533-2414
Associate Editor Chris Wolski (310) 533-2442
Web Editor
Greg Basich (310) 533-2572
Field Editor Al Cavalli
Production Director Kelly Bracken
Production Manager Brian Peach (310) 533-2548
Art Director
Armie Bautista
Subscription Inquiries (310) 533-2440
www.GreenFleetMagazine.com/ Subscription Subscriptions@GreenFleetMagazine.com
National Sales Manager Sherb Brown (310) 533-2451
District Advertising Managers
Regional Sales Manager Eric Bearly (310) 533-2579 eric.bearly@bobit.com
West Coast Sales Manager/ Associate Publisher Joni Owens (310) 533-2530 joni.owens@bobit.com
Great Lakes
Robert Brown Jr. 1000 W. University Dr., Ste. 209 Rochester, MI 48307 (248) 601-2005 • Fax (248) 601-2004 rbrown8799@aol.com
Sales & Marketing Coordinator Tracey Tremblay
Chairman
Edward J. Bobit
CEO
Ty F. Bobit
CFO
Richard E. Johnson
Editorial Consultant Howard Rauch
Business and Editorial Office
Bobit Business Media
3520 Challenger St. Torrance, CA 90503-1640 Fax: (310) 533-2503 Printed in U.S.A. Au
otive Fle et tom
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_letters.indd 2
10/13/11 2:13:06 PM
CALL GPS INSIGHT
(877) 466-6577
Reduce Fuel Usage up to 25% with
from
EĞǁ ĂƐŚďŽĂƌĚ /ŶƚĞƌĨĂĐĞ
Take Full Control Of Your Fleet! For a free demo visit www.gpsinsight.com/green-fleet Nationwide coverage. Regional offices in Phoenix, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Oklahoma City.
GFLEET1111_letters.indd 3
10/13/11 2:13:12 PM
INDUSTRY NEWS HONDA CIVIC NATURAL GAS TO BE AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE TORRANCE, CA – The allnew 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas (formally known as the Civic GX), the only dedicated natural gas-powered passenger vehicle manufactured and sold in the U.S., became available nationwide in October through 200 new dealers in 38 states. Concurrently, the Honda Civic Natural Gas had its second-ever debut at the Green Fleet Conference in early October. Previously, retail sales of the natural gas-powered Civic had been limited to four states — California, New York, Utah, and Oklahoma. The Civic Natural Gas has an EPA-rated city/highway/ combined fuel economy of 27/38/31 miles per gallon (gasoline-gallon equivalent), and a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $26,155.
Honda Civic Natural Gas GM WILL SELL COMMERCIAL CNG BI-FUEL PICKUP IN 2012 DETROIT – General Motors will sell a compressed natural gas (CNG) bi-fuel version of the Sierra and Silverado pickup trucks early in the fourth quarter of 2012. According to GM, the addition of a bi-fuel CNG pickup will help satisfy a broader range of needs for commercial customers looking for a one-stop alternative fuel vehicle from the factory. IMPCO Automotive is the tier-one supplier for integrating the CNG bi-fuel delivery and storage system into the pickups alongside the Express and Savana CNG-dedicated cargo vans at IMPCO Automotive’s facility in Union City, Ind. 4
ARI & ROUSH Team to Demonstrate Propane Autogas Fleet Option MT. LAUREL, NJ – Automotive Resources International (ARI), which provides fleet management and leasing services, has unveiled its ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas demo vehicle to provide in-house demonstrations of this technology to clients. ARI has an extensive in-house demonstration center at its headquarters in Mt. Laurel, N.J. Clients and vendors are encouraged to watch sustainability, software, telematics, training, and equipment demonstrations to help them make educated decisions based on their unique needs. The center has a variety of green technologies, and the addition of the ROUSH CleanTech vehicle will play an important role, ARI said. ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas technology burns cleaner in engines, resulting in the potential for longer engine life and reduced maintenance costs, with 60 percent less carbon monoxide, up to 24-percent less greenhouse gas emissions, and fewer particulate emissions when compared to gasoline.
Ryder Introduces New Green Fleet Lease Offering MIAMI – Ryder System Inc. has launched a new “Flex-to-Green” lease offering, providing fleet
operators the option of incorporating alternative-fuel vehicles into their fleets. Ryder’s alternative-fuel fleet includes compressed and liquid natural gas vehicles, which are offered in select markets, as well as hybrid vehicles, which are available in most U.S. markets. Ryder currently supports natural gas vehicles in Southern California and Arizona. As Ryder expands its infrastructure to support natural gas vehicles, the Flex-to-Green lease option will be offered to customers in those new markets. In April 2010, the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Board collaborated with Ryder in a groundbreaking ceremony for its heavy-duty natural gas truck rental and leasing project. As part of the project, 202 heavy-duty natural gaspowered trucks are being deployed into Ryder’s southern California operations network. Ryder customers can access these natural gas-powered vehicles through short-term rentals, long-term leases, or Ryder’s dedicated logistics services. In addition, Ryder has constructed new natural gas Ryder’s “Flex-to-Green” lease offerrefueling stations and will maintain vehicles at three ing gives clients access to short-term California-based maintenance shops in Fontana, Or- rentals, long-term leases, or Ryder’s dedicated logistics services. ange, and Rancho Dominguez.
350Green & Walgreens Bringing More EV V Charging Stations to L.A. LOS ANGELES – Electric vehicle charging station developer 350Green and drugstore chain Walgreens announced plans to bring more than 100 public charging stations, including 35 DC fast chargers, to the greater Los Angeles area. The goal is to make charging an electric vehicle convenient, while pavingg the way for rapid adoption of EVs in the region, the companies said. This network of EV charging stations is part of an effort to create the infrastructure necessary to ensure EV drivers can confidently drive their vehicles around the region without worrying about running low on a charge. A network of public charging stations, widely and conveniently located near where residents live and work, makes EV ownership a realistic option for thousands more residents, according to the companies. 350Green also has projects in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York.
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_news.indd 4
10/13/11 2:11:16 PM
INDUSTRY NEWS
Study Finds Benefits of Plug-in Vehicles Depend on Battery Size PITTSBURGH – According to a new study from Carnegie Mellon University, plug-in vehicles with
small battery packs and hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) that don’t plug in can reduce lifecycle impacts from air emissions and enhance oil security at low or no additional cost over a lifetime. However, plug-in vehicles with large battery packs are more costly and may have higher or lower emissions than HEVs, depending on where and when they are plugged in. The study appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Carnegie Mellon University’s Jeremy Michalek and his co-authors concluded that electrified vehicles with smaller battery packs are more efficient in reducing societal costs for health care, environmental damage, and oil consumption. Michalek’s research is aimed at understanding tradeoffs in the capabilities of new technologies and to predict what near- and long-term strategies should be. He recently received a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to analyze how public policy could help determine the types of vehicles built in coming years and how consumers might respond to these vehicles.
DOE Awards $8.4 Million for Projects to Improve Engine and Powertrain Efficiency WASHINGTON – Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced $8.4 million in grants over three to
four years for suppliers and vehicle manufacturers to develop and demonstrate technologies that increase the efficiency of engines and powertrain systems for future vehicles. Four projects — located in Michigan, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin — will focus on new innovations that achieve breakthrough thermal efficiencies while meeting federal emissions standards for passenger vehicles as well as commercial vehicles, including long-haul tractor trailers. The projects will focus on developing and testing new technologies for engines and powertrains that could reduce cost and address technical barriers currently inhibiting the wider use of advanced engine technologies in the mass market. Projects will also validate technologies developed at the engine or system level to help ensure that these innovations can advance into broad commercial use at a scale needed to reduce vehicle fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions nationally, the DOE said. The four grant awardees include: Filter Sensing Technologies Inc., Cambridge, Mass. ($2 million); General Motors LLC, Pontiac, Mich. ($1.4 million); Eaton Corp., Milwaukee, Wis. ($2.5 million); and MAHLE Powertrain LLC, Novi, Mich. ($2.5 million).
SAIC & GM Sign Agreement for EV Development SHANGHAI, CHINA – SAIC Motor Corp. Chairman Hu Maoyuan and General Motors Co.
Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson have signed an agreement in Shanghai for the joint development of a new electric vehicle architecture in China. The Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) — SAIC and GM’s engineering and design joint venture in Shanghai — will serve as the development center for the architecture. The electric vehicle architecture will be the first to be co-developed by the two companies. Their Shanghai GM joint venture introduced the Sail electric concept vehicle late last year. Under the agreement, teams of SAIC, GM, and Sail Electric Concept Vehicle PATAC engineers will work together to develop key components, as well as vehicle structures and architectures. Vehicles resulting from the partnership will be sold in China under Shanghai GM and SAIC brands. SAIC and GM will also use the architecture to build electric vehicles around the globe for their own purposes. Product details and timing will be announced at a later date.
SEVEN AUTOMAKERS AGREE ON EV FASTCHARGING SYSTEM DEARBORN, MI – Seven automakers have agreed on a combined charging system as an international approach to charging electric vehicles in the U.S. and Europe. The automakers include Audi, BMW, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche, and Volkswagen. The system the automakers agreed on uses a combined charging approach that integrates all potential charging scenarios into a single charging connector. It uses identical means for the vehicle to communicate with the charging station. This allows electric vehicles from all seven automakers to share the same fast charging stations. The harmonized electric vehicle charging solution is backward compatible with the J1772 connector standard in the U.S. Backward compatibility also has been achieved in Europe where the system is based on the IEC 62196 Type 2. The seven auto manufacturers also agreed to use HomePlug GreenPHY as the communication protocol. Automakers point to the success of level 1 and level 2 (for 220V charging in the U.S.) as an example of how standardization will increase the adoption of electric vehicles and increase customer satisfaction. The approval of the J1772 standard means electric vehicle owners can charge at all level 2 charging stations. J1772 Charging Station
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 ■ GREEN FLEET
GFLEET1111_news.indd 5
5
10/13/11 2:11:18 PM
MY-2012 could be a turning point in the mix of hybrid, electric, and fuel-efficient vehicles available from OEMs. Alt-fuel vehicles are no longer exotic curiosities, but full-fledged members of the automotive community. By Chris Wolski
Mazda3 SKYACTIV
J
ust a few years ago, all-electric, hybrid, and super fuel-efficient vehicles were ideas that resided on engineering drawing boards and in the imaginations of fleet managers. Today, MY-2012 is packed with a plethora of alt-fuel and super-efficient gasolinepowered vehicles, making the upcoming model-year something of a tipping point for green vehicles. GASOLINE
Gasoline is the standard by which all other fuel technologies are measured, and today’s vehicles are becoming ever-more efficient. For instance, the Mazda3 SKYACTIV enters 2012 offering significantly improved fuel economy thanks to its SKYACTIV technology, part of the Sustainable Zoom Zoom initiative. The 2012 Mazda3 is the first vehicle to make use of this technology in the United States, which is designed to improve fuel economy and lower emissions while, at the same time, improving driving performance using standard gasoline. This
AT A GLANCE The MY-2012 OEM models are highlighting an increasing variety of alternativeand super-efficient fuel technologies, including: ● Compressed
natural gas. and extend-range electric. ● Hybrid-electric. ● All-electric
6
Fiat 500
Dodge Charger
Nissan Versa Sedan
includes not only the 155 hp 2.0L engine and transmission, which generates 148 lb.-ft. of torque, but the body structure, platform, suspension design, and all other elements of the car are optimized for better performance. The Mazda3 SKYACTIV has a fuel economy of 28 mpg city/40 hwy for a 15-percent improvement over the current 2.0L engine. The next phase of the SKYACTIV initiative will see the launch of a CX-5 crossover. The Chrysler 300 is equipped with an all-new 8-speed 3.6L Pentastar V-6 that is 50-state compatible for flex-fuel efficiency. It and the Dodge Charger, which is also equipped with the Pentastar V-6, have a fuel economy of 19 mpg on the EPA city cycle — an increase of 5 percent over last year’s 5-speed automatic. With eight speeds, driving at a lower rpm in both city and highway environments also effectively helps reduce emissions by nearly 11 percent. The 2012 Fiat 500 compact vehicle boasts a world-class 1.4L engine with MultiAir technology to reduce emissions while delivering up to 10-percent better power and fuel efficiency. The Dodge Charger’s 8-speed 3.6L Pentastar V-6 engine provides the Charger SE with increased fuel economy when compared to the previous entry-level 3.5L V-6 engine. The Dodge Charger features more than 65 safety and security features, including stan-
Ford Edge
dard Keyless Enter-N-Go and electronic stability control (ESC) with segment-exclusive Ready Alert Braking and Rain Brake Support safety features to improve overall vehicle handling and performance. The Nissan Versa Sedan features a secondgeneration 1.6L HR16DE four-cylinder engine, which includes a range of cuttingedge technologies such as a dual fuel injector system, which allows a wider injection of fuel, with the smaller nozzles delivering a finer spray to help achieve more complete combustion. The fuel economy is rated at 30 mpg city/38 hwy/33 comb with the CVT transmission, and 27 mpg city/36 mpg hwy/30 comb. with the 5-speed manual transmission. The nextgeneration Xtronic CVT transmission adds an auxiliary gearbox using planetary gearing, helping to enhance efficiency. Ford’s EcoBoost technology and twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT) are featured on several of its vehicles, including a 3.5L EcoBoost for its F-Series, 2.0L EcoBoost for its Edge and Explorer, and the company’s new Escape will be introduced with 1.6L and 2.0L four-cylinder EcoBoost. The Escape will also be available with a 2.5L Ti-VCT four-cylinder. The 1.6L EcoBoost engine, which uses turbocharging, Ti-VCT, and direct injection to deliver the same performance as a larger engine, is making its North Amer-
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_altfuel.indd 6
10/14/11 10:58:42 AM
Ford Super Duty
Ford F-Series
Audi Q7
Honda Civic Natural Gas
Audi A3 ican debut in the Escape. It is expected to deliver even higher highway fuel economy than the current Escape Hybrid, which is EPA-rated at 31 mpg. Ford’s EcoBoost technology will be featured in 90 percent of its vehicles by 2013. EcoBoost increases fuel economy up to 20 percent while reducing CO2 emissions by up to 15 percent.
of up to 700 miles. The BlueTEC technology, which is featured in other sedans and its SUVs, controls emissions by driving exhaust gases through filters to the catalytic converter, emitting harmless nitrogen and water. Mazda also offers its Mazda3 SKYACTIV in a diesel version. CNG
DIESEL
Diesels are also getting more fuel efficient. The 2012-MY Audi A3 is available with a 2.0L TDI clean diesel engine, which produces an outstanding 236 lb.-ft. of torque. Adding to its credentials the Audi A3 TDI was recently awarded the 2010 green vehicle of the year. Additionally, the Audi A3 TDI has been rated by the U.S. EPA at 30 mpg city/42 hwy, making it one of the most fuel efficient vehicles available in today’s marketplace. The Audi Q7 features a standard 8-speed tiptronic transmission combined with a 3.0L TDI engine that produces 225 hp and 406 lb.-ft. of torque. This combination provides more torque than a conventional V-8. The Audi Q7 is rated to pull 6,600 lbs. tongue weight when equipped with the available tow package. Both the Audi A3 and Q7 TDI offer a 25-percent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to their comparable gasoline counterparts, making them a cleaner alternative in all 50 states. The Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC sedan is equipped with a 3.0L V-6 turbocharged BlueTEC engine that delivers 240 hp, 455 lb.-ft. of torque and fuel economy of 20 mpg city/31 hwy — with a range
While trucks or transit vehicles are commonly powered with compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG), cars have rarely been powered with one of these fuels. The Honda Civic Natural Gas changed that. Known as the Civic GX from 1998 until 2011, the Civic Natural Gas has a Hondaestimated city/highway/combined fuel economy ratio of 27/38/31 miles per gasoline-gallon equivalent (GGE). Compared to the 2011 model, city fuel economy has been improved by 12.5 percent and highway fuel economy is up by 5.5 percent. The Civic Natural Gas includes Honda’s ECO Assist technology, an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation at the touch of a button while also providing visual feedback to promote and confirm an efficient driving style. General Motors’ GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express cargo vans are offered with a CNG option and come with a full five-year /100,000 mile powertrain warranty. The models are available in either a three-tank design with a 16 GGE capacity or a four-tank design with a 23 GGE capacity. They have a range of over 200 and 300 miles respectively. These CNG vans meet GM’s rigorous standards for safety, reliability, and durability. The vehicle, in-
cluding the CNG fuel system, are covered under GM’s limited vehicle warranty. Ford’s CNG emphasis is targeting the many unique vocations and vehicle requirements of the industry by offering gaseous engine prep packages on multiple vehicle lines, including Transit Connect, E-Series, Super Duty and the upcoming Medium-Duty with the 6.8L engine. Collaborating with qualified upfitters Ford has released guidelines to ensure consistent and reliable performance. This strategy provides the greatest flexibility of commercial applications. ELECTRIC
An exotic rarity just three or four years ago, electric cars appear to be coming into their own in 2012 with at least seven new or returning models available for purchase and more are in the works. With output of 170 hp and maximum torque of 184 lb.-ft., the all-electric BMW ActiveE accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under nine seconds (preliminary). The newly developed lithium-ion batteries, with active thermal management, facilitate a vehicle range of around 100 miles in everyday driving. The BMW ActiveE is based on the body of the BMW 1-Series Coupe and can be charged at virtually all public charging stations. The BMW ActiveE will be available for lease in select markets, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, New York, and Boston, as well as the state of Connecticut beginning in fall 2011. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in late 2011, as of press time. The all-electric 2012 Mitsubishi i-car
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 ■ GREEN FLEET
GFLEET1111_altfuel.indd 7
7
10/14/11 10:58:46 AM
ALT FUEL
BMW ActiveE
Chevrolet Express
Mitsubishi i-car
GMC Savana is getting ready for its first U.S. deliveries starting in December 2011. The i-car is powered by Mitsubishi innovative electric vehicle (MiEV) technology. The vehicle’s drive system features a 49 kW AC synchronous electric motor and an 88 cell, 330v lithium-ion battery pack with peak storage of 16 kWh. The electric motor is capable of producing peak torque of 145 lb.-ft. and the vehicle also has a top speed of approximately 80 mph. The vehicle’s packaging makes comfortable accommodations for four adult-size passengers. The Mitsubishi i earned an EPA-rated 126 MPGe in city driving and 99 MPGe on the highway. Additionally, the vehicle’s driving range is stated at 62 to 98 miles, depending on driving characteristics. To create the Ford Transit Connect Electric, Azure Dynamics integrated its Force Drive electric powertrain into the automaker’s existing Transit Connect. Utilizing an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls-Saft, the Transit Connect Electric can achieve a range of 50 to 80 miles depending on auxiliary power usage and drive cycle and has a top speed of 75 mph. The battery is rechargeable using either a 240v or standard 120v outlet. Joining its transit sibling, Ford’s Focus Electric is the company’s first-ever all-electric passenger car. The vehicle is a realization of the company’s mid-range sustainability strategy to implement all known energy technology by 2020. The Focus Electric, which leverages the company’s C-car platform, is one of five fuel-free, rechargeable passenger cars it
Ford Focus
plans to deliver by 2012. The Focus Electric can be fully recharged in three to four hours at home using the available wall-mounted 240v charge station. The all-electric powertrain and single-speed transmission provide immediate responsiveness and smooth acceleration for a top speed of 84 mph. The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell continues to be available for lease in Southern California. The five-door, four-passenger hydrogenelectric delivers 134 hp and 214 lb.-ft. and is powered by fuel-cell technology with an EPA-estimated range of 190 miles. The F-Cell utilizes a hydrogen fuel cell stack for generating electricity and a lithium ion battery for energy storage. Taking only three minutes to refuel, the B-Class F-Cell emits water as its only by-product. The Mercedes-Benz smart consists of five fortwo models, including two that are all-electric — the passion coupe and passion cabriolet. Both the gasoline- and electric-powered smart vehicles are representative of the line’s emphasis on sustainability, safety, and customization. The models are classified as ultra-low emissions vehicles by the State of California Air Resources Board (CARB). The Nissan LEAF was the first generally available all-electric vehicle on the market. Powered by a lithium-ion battery pack composed of 48 compact modules and a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor generating 107 hp and 207 lb.-ft. of torque, the LEAF has a 100-mile range on a single charge. Technology assists the driver with range management. The Nissan LEAF can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity in 30 minutes
Mercedes-Benz F-Cell
EXTENDED RANGE ELECTRIC
For drivers with range anxiety, the Chevrolet Volt, now widely available for fleet use, is primarily an electric vehicle propelled by a 111kW electric motor with a secondary gasoline engine that takes over seamlessly from the electric engine. The Volt offers a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 25 to 50 miles, the Volt can drive tailpipe emissions-free using a full charge of electricity. When the Volt’s battery runs low, the gasoline-powered engine takes over, extending the driving range up to 340 miles. Designed for today’s infrastructure, commercial fleet drivers don’t need to modify their work schedules to meet their cars’ charging times. Unlike a pure electric car limited by EV range, the Volt can be the only car a driver requires on the job. The Volt uses a GM-designed and built 16kWh lithium-ion battery. HYBRID
Of all the alt-fuel technologies, the hybrid is by far the most successful and popular. This year, Toyota is releasing a plug-in model. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid offers seating for five and is expected to achieve a manufacturer-estimated 87 MPGe in com-
Chevrolet Volt
Mercedes-Benz smart 8
when equipped with a quick charge port and using a DC fast charger. Charging at home through a 220v outlet is estimated to take approximately eight hours. The lithium-ion battery pack carries a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles. The quick charge port is standard on the SL model.
Nissan LEAF
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_altfuel.indd 8
10/14/11 10:58:49 AM GRN1111unilube.indd
GFLEET1111_altfuel.indd 9 GRN1111unilube.indd 1
10/14/11 10:58:55 AM 10/12/11 1:55:53 PM
ALT FUEL
Honda Civic Hybrid CR-Z
C-Max Hybrid
Ford Fusion Hybrid bined driving and 49 mpg in hybrid mode. The plug-in hybrid will allow true EV operation and performance for up to 15 miles at speeds up to 62 mph, along with quick home charging, using a standard AC outlet and 15-amp dedicated circuit. Operating in EV mode, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid provides the quick, smooth quiet driving of a pure electric vehicle. The 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid retains the Hybrid Synergy Drive of the standard Prius model and will seamlessly switch into hybrid operation at a pre-determined state of battery charge. A newly developed 4.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack replaces the standard Prius model’s nickelmetal hydride battery and fits under the rear cargo floor, and the vehicle adds an easy-touse external charging cable. Honda’s family of hybrid vehicles includes the Civic Hybrid, CR-Z, and Insight. The 2012 Civic Hybrid offers a higher fuel economy rating of 44/44/44 mpg city/ highway/combined, up from the 40/43/41 of the 2011 Civic Hybrid. For 2012, the Honda IMA system uses lithium-ion batteries, replacing the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in the previous two generations of Civic Hybrid. The 2012 Civic Hybrid features a larger 1.5L i-VTEC four-cylinder engine, up from 1.3L for improved mid-range torque, which incorporates extensive friction-reducing technologies for greater efficiency. It is connected to a lighter, larger, and more powerful electric motor that provides up to 23 hp. The gasoline engine and electric motor have a 110 combined hp at 5,500 rpm and torque is rated at 127 lb.-ft. at 1,000 to 3,500 rpm. The Honda CR-Z features a 1.5L i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that works with Honda’s unique, compact, and lightweight IMA system to supply both power and efficiency to the vehicle. A sport-focused, 6-speed manual transmission is a first for any hybrid. And an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available and includes steering 10
Ford Transit Connect
wheel paddle shifters for manual-like gearratio control. A new, exclusive 3-mode drive system allows the driver to configure the vehicle’s responsiveness for Sport, Normal, or Econ (economy) driving modes. The Honda Insight includes a 1.3L, four-cylinder iVTEC gasoline engine and 10kW electric motor, positioned inline between the engine and the continuously variable transmission, adds power during acceleration and in certain cruising situations, and recaptures energy from the vehicle’s forward momentum during braking. Ford’s 2012 Fusion Hybrid can operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode, and has a city driving range of more than 700 miles on a single tank of gas. The 2.5L Atkinson-Cycle Hybrid four-cylinder powertrain combines with the electric motor to generate a 191 nethp rating. During braking in the Fusion Hybrid, the regenerative braking system captures 94 percent of the kinetic energy lost in conventional vehicles and sends it to the battery pack to be stored for later use. Not only is regenerative braking efficient, but it helps minimize wear on the brake pads, lowering the cost of maintenance. Growing its electrified vehicle offerings, Ford will be introducing the C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in vehicles, building on the company’s sustainability initiatives. The C-MAX Hybrid features a lithium-ion battery and 2.0L Atkinson-cycle I-4 gasoline engine. The C-MAX Energi is powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery system developed by Ford and a high-efficiency 2.0L Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine. The CMAX delivers a more than 25-percent improvement in fuel economy versus today’s Escape Hybrid. The C-MAX Energi targets more than 500 miles of driving range using the battery and engine. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid generates its electric power through its Hybrid Blue Drive powertrain, a lithium polymer battery pack with engine decoupling, which significant-
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid ly reduces the amount of energy required to maintain highway speeds, resulting in an estimated 40 mpg highway fuel rating. The Sonata Hybrid is also equipped with a Theta II GDI 2.4L four-cylinder engine with a gasoline direct-injection (GDI) fuel-delivery system. The Theta II delivers 24 mpg city/35 hwy/28 combined fuel economy rating with both the 6-speed manual and automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC. The horsepower and torque ratings for the Theta II are 198 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. Characterized as a “mild hybrid,” the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid’s gasoline engine and electric motor work together for responsive performance, and its driveline includes a specially configured seven-speed automatic transmission, a transformer to power the 12v vehicle system, and intelligent operating electronics. The S400 Hybrid features a lightweight, high-capacity lithium-ion battery that works with a 20-hp electric motor and a V-6 gasoline engine for a total of 295 hp and 284 lb.-ft. of torque. The S400 Hybrid uses a 3.5L V-6 gasoline engine, a magneto-electric motor and sophisticated hybrid electronics to produce 30-percent better fuel economy than a comparable S550 model. Not only does the electric motor make 20 hp, but it also produces a starting torque of 118 lb.ft., while the gasoline engine develops 275 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Though officially a 2013 vehicle, Chevrolet’s Malibu ECO will be available beginning in January 2012 and features the company’s eAssist “light electrification” technology, which is engineered to deliver an estimated 26 mpg city/38 hwy, and is classified as a hybrid technology by the U.S. government. The eAssist system is mated to a 2.4L Ecotec directinjection four-cylinder engine that delivers 182 hp. The eAssist system uses a 115v lithium-ion battery and a 15kW motor-generator unit to help increase fuel economy. Chevrolet’s Tahoe Hybrid is a full-size SUV that includes eight-passenger seating and a
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_altfuel.indd 10
10/14/11 10:58:57 AM
Chevrolet Malibu ECO
Tahoe Hybrid
Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid towing capacity of up to 6,200 lbs. on 2WD models. The electrically variable transmission (EVT) and 300v nickel-metal hydride energy storage system (ESS) work in concert with the standard 6.0L V-8 gasoline engine with active fuel management (AFM) and late intake valve closing (LIVC) technology to enable the Tahoe Hybrid’s efficient performance. Like the Tahoe Hybrid, Cadillac’s Escalade Hybrid is a full-size SUV. The luxury model is powered by an innovative, fuel-saving twomode hybrid system. Both are available in RWD and 4WD configurations. They deliver up to 5,800 lbs. of usable towing capacity on RWD models and 5,600 lbs. on 4WD models. Escalade Hybrid’s patented two-mode hybrid system consists of an advanced, electrically variable transmission and 300v nickel-metal hydride energy storage system. These systems work in concert with the standard 6.0L V-8 Gen IV gasoline engine with Active Fuel Management and late-intake valve closing technology. The Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid is a fullsize truck that delivers 33-percent greater city fuel economy and a 23.5-percent improvement in overall fuel economy — with the capability expected of a full-size truck, including a 6,100-lb. towing capacity. The estimated fuel economy for both the 2WD and 4WD models is 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Combined with a 26-gallon fuel tank, the Silverado Hybrid delivers a cruising range of more than 500 miles. Like the Escalade, the Silverado Hybrid combines General Motors’ two-mode hybrid system and a powerful 6.0L gasoline V-8 to deliver highly efficient performance, including all-electric driving up to 30 mph. The Silverado Hybrid is offered in the Crew Cab body style on both 2WD and 4WD models.
In the next issue of Green Fleet we will examine the trends in second-stage manufacturing alt-fuel and aftermarket solutions, such as propane and CNG conversions.
The Better
Refueling Solution
BETTER
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
FOR
YOUR FLEET
Evergreen CNG Systems
Evergreen CNG Systems provides the best solution for compressed natural gas refueling. With global experience behind us, we now offer to North America proven refueling systems including:
BETTER
FOR
YOUR BUDGET
UÊ ÊÀivÕi }ÊÃÌ>Ì ÃÊ> `Ê compressor packages UÊ «ÀiÃà ÀÊÃÕVÌ Ê«ÀiÃÃÕÀiÃÊÊ up to 3,600 psig, discharge pressures up to 5,000 psig UÊ ÊvÕi Ê` ëi ÃiÀÃ]ÊÃÌ À>}iÊÊ tubes, and dryers UÊ Õ ÞÊ}Õ>À> Ìii`Ê" Êë>ÀiÊ«>ÀÌà UÊ1 ÃÕÀ«>ÃÃi`ÊÃiÀÛ ViÊ> `ÊÃÕ«« ÀÌ CNG is the best solution for your business, and Evergreen CNG Systems is the best choice for your fleet! Contact us today.
BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
EVERGREEN
CNG SYSTEMS evergreen-cng-systems.com
1304 Whitaker St. Hellertown, PA 18055 Toll free- 1 (888) 8 GASAIR Phone- (610) 838-9625 Fax- (610) 838-9650 www.evergreen-cng-systems.com
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 ■ GREEN FLEET
GFLEET1111_altfuel.indd 11
11
10/14/11 10:59:00 AM
to Create Fuel-S Most M ostt stu studies u agree that at least one-third of a fleet’s overall ov ver fuel efficiency is directly impacted by a driver’s actions behind the wheel. An effective driver driiv behavior modification program can help tap the improved fuel savings g of impr p oved driver habits. By Cindy Brauer
I
magine a fleet program that could reduce fuel consumption in the neighborhood of 40 percent. Such a program would target — for many fleets — the single greatest untapped source for fuel savings: the driver. According to a recent University of Michigan Transportation Institute study, drivers who practice good eco-friendly habits can realize up to a 45-percent reduction in onroad fuel economy. Other sources, including the U.S. Department of Energy and the American Trucking Associations (ATA), put the savings at 30-35 percent. The bottom-line value of education and training to change driver fuel-wasting habits is gaining adoption as a component in green fleet strategies, along with capital investments in new vehicle and engine
AT A GLANCE The eight steps to develop and implement a driver behavior modification program are: ● Identify
and focus on needs. goals. ● Secure top-level support. ● Develop the program. ● Communicate effectively. ● Measure and monitor. ● Incentivize participation. ● Use best practices. ● Establish
12
technologies. For Bob Stanton, CPM, CPFP, director of fleet management for Hillsborough County, Fla., it’s about time. “Our industry has inSTANTON vested billions in vehicle fuel-saving technologies with mixed and less-than-stellar results. We’ve addressed the hardware and, to a certain extent, the software of this issue while largely ignoring the largest factor of all: the driver,” Stanton said. “In retrospect, we probably should have started there. Had we started with the drivers by improving their habits, it stands to good reason our technological investments would have paid off more handsomely because our drivers were ‘better. ’ ” Stanton knows the effectiveness of driver behavior modification efforts. While director of fleet management for Polk County, Fla., he developed an award-winning fuel-savings initiative that included an employee incentive program for eco-driving efforts. In addition to cutting fuel consumption, creating eco-conscious drivers yields other rewards, including better fleet safety records and vehicle maintenance. As Automotive Resources International (ARI)’s manager of client support ser-
vices Ed Iannuzzi noted, “A driver behavior modification program is a proactive step that puts more accountability in the hands of the drivers and helps fleets run more efficiently and effectively, IANNUZZI leading to greater control, costs savings, and compliance while allowing fleets to meet strategic objectives.” A successful driver behavior modification program, according to Stanton, fleet services staff at ARI, and green fleet experts at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), requires eight fundamental steps.
Identify & Focus on Needs Because every fleet’s needs are different, every fleet’s driver modification program must be organization-specific, advised Craig Neuber, manager of strategic consulting at ARI. Is the program “more about finding ways to increase vehicle mpg and decrease idling? Or is the fleet trying to improve safety and decrease accidents?” he asked. It’s important, said Neuber, that fleet managers understand how a behavior modification program can help their fleet operations and pinpoint those ar-
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_modification.indd 12
10/14/11 11:00:54 AM
-Saving Eco-Drivers eas most in need of improvement. The EDF’s “Fuel-Smart Driving Handdbook” suggests “a successful driver educaation program should focus on a few factors rs that drivers can control and have the most st impact on fuel economy.” The EDF handbook identifies thesee driver-controllable, high-impact factorss as minimizing idling, avoiding aggressivee driving behaviors, and maintaining vehicless properly. Asking drivers to make a limited d number of straightforward changes is often n more effective in changing behavior than n “overwhelming them with a large numberr of requests,” according to the guide.
on ongoing support and attention to keep it fr fresh and credible.”
Develop the Program
Establish Goals Setting goals helps determine a program’s m’s direction, required resources, components, and measures, said Stanton of Hillsborough County. “What’s important is your goals be specific, measurable, and realistic,” advised the EDF. Initial goals can be modest, then built upon incrementally as they are achieved.
Secure Top-Level Support Senior management must clearly accept and endorse the program, according to Stanton. Gaining this essential backing, he said, is “all about the money.” Emphasize the program’s impact on bottom-line savings in lower fuel costs through specific actions such as cutting mpg and reducing vehicle idling, Stanton recommended. The environment-conscious program also can be linked to corporate responsibility goals or tied into the company’s participation in
The Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) “Fuel-Smart Driving” handbook identifies driver-controllable, high-impact factors, such as avoiding aggressive driving, minimizing idling, and maintaining vehicles properly.
such programs as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay program, Stanton added. Seek other company or agency department buy-in and support, said Neuber of ARI. “This can include human resources, and an environmental, health, and safety department if the organization has one. Getting their support can save backtracking and help with launching the program successfully,” he explained. “A successful program needs NEUBER
The first step in developing and imple plementing a driver training program is outlining a comprehensive fleet policy, ou according to Elisa Durand, assistant manacc ager, strategic consulting − environmental ag & fuel strategies at ARI. “A fleet policy informs drivers of rules and regulations they for need to follow and lays the foundation for ne what they will learn in the training prowh gram,” she said. gra A wide range of resources are available to custom-design a driver behavior modificcation program. A number of effective training methods, from online quizzes to tra in-person classes, are available, said Durand. “These program tools are most effective when used on an on-going, consistent basis. This repetition will foster a culture in which good driving habits are encouraged,” she added. Many vehicle manufacturers offer ecodriving tips, suggestions, and facts in their company materials and online. Most fleet suppliers, including fleet management companies and equipment producers, also provide online resources. Bridgestone Tires, for example, offers a free video entitled, “What Drivers Can Do to Save Fuel.” The DVD explores fuelsaving benefits for drivers, tips to cut fuel use before a trip starts, the importance of idle control, time management influence on fuel consumption, and the cost of excessive speed. ➞
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 ■ GREEN FLEET
GFLEET1111_modification.indd 13
13
10/14/11 11:00:59 AM
Driver program suggestions and tips also can be found on websites including, but not limited to: ● www.fueleconomy.gov ● www.eco-drivingusa.com ● www.cartalk.com ● www.epa.gov/smartway ● www.edf.org Avoid “canned” programs, said Stanton. “Canned versions have a generic logo, a generic message, etc.,” he pointed out. “Drivers can brush it off as not necessarily germane to what they do or their job. If the program is presented with a personalized message regarding the specific fleet, that makes a difference. The message is then ‘This is about my fleet, my company,’ ” He collaborated with Ford Motor Company to adapt and customize the automaker’s “Driving Skills for Life” program with his fleet’s data on mpg, idling, etc. “When the program talks about stats ‘from your vehicle,’ it makes the effort personal and relevant to drivers,” he said. Stanton also advised, “Program elements should be simple, easy to explain and adopt, and understandable. The more complex, the less likely [the program] will succeed.”
Communicate Effectively “It’s important all parties involved understand the value and benefits of a driver behavior modification program. That includes everyone from senior level management to drivers,” said ARI’s Iannuzzi. He encouraged fleet managers “to use every channel available to engage key stake holders at every level, including meetings, discussions, e-mails, and newsletters.” The EDF handbook also recommends communicating with drivers through channels they already utilize. The guide suggests fleet managers launch the program in a group setting, e.g., an annual meeting, safety seminar, or regional sales meeting, to convey the program’s importance and the entire company’s support. “At a minimum,” the handbook states, “Launch your program via a special announcement from senior management or other credible leaders within your organization.” Use the company or agency Intranet site 14
SOURCE: ENVIRONMETAL DEFENSE FUND
DRIV VER BEHAVIO OR
In the chart above, idling, vehicle maintenance, acceleration, and use of air conditioning are factors that drivers have the most control over and have the highest impact on fuel usage. These factors are fairly representative of a typical vehicle fleet; however, your organization may position the same factors somewhat differently and may introduce other unique factors.
to deliver driver education messages, including regularly posted tips, reminders, and interesting, relevant facts. Other tips suggested in the EDF handbook include: ● Post blogs or e-mail messages by supervisors and peer-respected drivers reporting on changes in their driving habits and the impact of those changes. ● Leverage existing or phone-based fleet management tools to communicate messages or “tip-of-the day.” ● Display visual reminders of key program messages in vehicles, e.g., on sun visors or in cargo areas.
Measure & Monitor Measuring and tracking the program’s progress and success is essential to allow setting goals, demonstrating results, and maintaining driver interest and attention. Measure quantifiable elements, such as mpg, idling times, and preventable accident rates. Start with an initial measure and track it quarterly, bi-annually, or annually. “Actual company or agency history is a better measure,” said Stanton of Hillsborough
County. “There must be a way to measure individual driver results. Benchmark each driver — where they are today and against the goal, then track progress.” Durand of ARI recommended monitoring results of more than one measure and avoiding tracking one driver against another. “Rather,” she said, “the best benchmark is the DURAND driver’s own previous results and the improvements he or she has been able to make post-training.” She also cautions reporting data results “in a proper context.” “Are some drivers continually underperforming or having trouble? If so, those individuals may need additional training to maximize the fleet’s overall performance. Conversely, if the fleet is outperforming its goals on a consistent basis, the expectations may need to be raised,” she explained. According to the EDF, drivers should be clear on what is measured and how often, with opportunities to provide feed-
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_modification.indd 14
10/14/11 11:01:10 AM
back. “It is important drivers believe that program metrics and reporting intervals are fundamentally fair,” notes the EDF handbook. Stanton advised against agency peer benchmarking among public sector fleets. “In government fleets, it’s difficult to measure against one another. There are too many variables — customers served, geographic boundaries, terrain, etc.” Likewise, he noted, commercial fleets should benchmark their program progress and results only against fleets very similar in type and function.
be “meaningful enough to influence drivers, but not so substantial as to incite gaming.” Suggested rewards include cash, retail and restaurant gift certificates, or items that help improve “life on the road,” such as a free oil change for personal vehicles. Reward all drivers who achieve and sustain significant results, rather than a few star performers, according to the EDF. Consider offering special recognition or small prizes for a few standouts every quarter.
Incentivize Participation
Some best practices fleet managers can use include: • Integrate the driver program within overall company activities. The closer a driver modification program mirrors other company programs and efforts, said Iannuzzi of ARI, the easier it will be for drivers to adopt the behavior modification initiative.
Incentives are critical to driver buyin, according to Stanton of Hillsborough County. “Peer pressure is a powerful weapon. Include rewards and penalties in the program. Some drivers won’t ever be concerned, but most are,” he observed. The EDF advises that incentives should
Why choose autogas?
Call us today to learn how easy it is to incorporate propane-autogas powered vehicles into your fleet.
855-4-AUTOGAS
Use Best Practices
• Be persistent. “Too often new initiatives start out strong and lose momentum after the initial push. Make sure drivers are aware that results will be monitored on the originally announced pre-determined basis. That will ensure they take the program seriously,” said Neuber of ARI. • Motivate drivers. “While education and communication are critical, fleet managers must also make sure drivers understand how it will affect them,” emphasized Iannuzzi. • Be consistent. Don’t change the rules too soon or too often, warned Stanton. “Perhaps after a year, the program can be evaluated and tweaks made. Don’t add or take away, tighten or relax program elements after only six months or so. Drivers don’t like that. Consistency is important.” • Be clear. “Be sure drivers know what’s expected of them,” said Stanton. He has used a one-page contract, with a copy to the driver, to clearly outline program expectations.
Propane autogas is the best alternative fuel for fleets Propane autogas powers more than 15 million vehicles worldwide. The reason why is clear: UÊ ÕÌ }>ÃÊ ÃÊViÀÌ wÊi`ÊV i> ÊLÕÀ }ÊLÞÊÌ iÊ * UÊ x¯Ê vÊ>ÕÌ }>ÃÊ ÃÊ` iÃÌ V> ÞÊ«À `ÕVi` UÊ- } wÊV> Ì ÞÊ ÜiÀÊ «iÀ>Ì }Ê> `Ê vÀ>ÃÌÀÕVÌÕÀiÃÊV ÃÌà UÊ Õ `Ài`ÃÊ vÊ`i` V>Ìi`Ê> `ÊV ÛiÀà Ài>`ÞÊÛi V iÃÊ>Û> >L iÊ UÊ Ã«i ÃiÀÃÊ>ÀiÊ iÝ«i à ÛiÊÌ Ê ÃÌ> ]Êà « iÊÌ Ê «iÀ>Ìi UÊ*À }ÃÊÃiÀÛ ViÊ viÊ vÊÌ iÊ>ÛiÀ>}iÊÛi V iÊLÞÊÓÊÌ ÊÎÊÞi>Àà *À «> iÊ«À Û `iÃÊyÊiiÌÃÊÜ Ì Ê>ÊV ÃÌ ivviVÌ Ûi]ÊV i> LÕÀ }]ÊÃ>vi]Ê> `Ê Ài >L iÊ> ÌiÀ >Ì ÛiÊvÕi °Ê i>À Ê ÀiÊ>ÌÊ
www.ferrellautogas.com/ForYourFleet. NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 ■ GREEN FLEET
GFLEET1111_modification.indd 15
15
10/14/11 11:01:15 AM
Kansas City Gets Motivated for Natural Gas The City of Kansas City, Mo., once had a pilot program of just 12 CNG-powered fleet units. Today, through dedicated grant seeking, the CNG fleet now nears 300 units — roughly 8 percent of its total fleet. By Shelley Mika
T
he geography of Kansas City, Mo., presents a duality of demands on its fleet. As a metropolitan center, it requires the mobile resources needed to maintain a bustling city. But, the sheer size of its metro area also requires heavy travel, as some units see cross-town use. These are just a few of the reasons Sam Swearngin, fleet administrator for the City,
AT A GLANCE The City of Kansas City, Mo., has a more than 14-year history with CNG units: ● 1997: Began CNG pilot program with just 12 vehicles and a partnership with Missouri Gas and Energy to fuel up at its stations. ● 2001: A large Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant expanded the program to 40 CNG-powered vehicles and its own fueling station. ● 2006-2008: CMAQ grants followed at roughly $500,000 a piece, for a total of $3.4 million over seven years. ● 2010: Awarded an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant of $4.03 million. 16
Today, the City of Kansas City, Mo., fleet’s CNG units total about 8 percent of its roughly 3,000 vehiclses, including 209 light-duty, 10 medium-duty, and 56 heavy-duty vehicles.
keeps a careful eye on the fuel budget, and looks to alternative fuels to improve efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions. However, what really began the fleet’s compressed natural gas (CNG) program were environmental concerns, both at the federal and local levels.
Environmental Motivations In 1990 and 1992 respectively, the Clean Air Act and the Energy Policy Acts originally mandated that government fleets would be required to use alternative fuels. As such, Kansas City began studying the costs and benefits of CNG, ethanol, methanol, and propane autogas. CNG emerged as the cheapest and cleanest choice.
Bolstering the City’s faith in CNG as a smart option was an American Medical Association presentation Swearngin and his colleagues attended, which depicted graphic views of the effects low level ozone has on children’s lungs. Knowing the switch to CNG could help Kansas City’s own problem with low levels of ozone in the summer, they decided to pursue CNG because of the benefits to the environment and, in turn, their public. “Starting out, diesel prices dropped, so CNG wasn’t any more affordable of an option. Through the ’90s and early 2000s, we really did it for purely environmental reasons,” Swearngin said. “We wanted to do everything we could to improve the air quality for our City.” ➞
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_kansas.indd 16
10/14/11 11:04:25 AM
R E A L
A N S W E R S
THE LARGEST WORK TRUCK EVENT IN NORTH AMERICA!
MARCH 6-8, 2012
R E A L
T R U C K S
INDIANA CONVENTION CENTER
X &7%#6+10#. 41)4#//+0) $')+05 #4%* I '9'56 241&7%65 #0& 6'%*0+%#. '0)+0''4+0) 5722146 (41/ /14' 6*#0 IIN ':*+$+6+0) %1/2#0+'5 14' 6*#0 JN +06'05+8' 241)4#/5 10 +0&7564; 612+%5 (41/ 72(+66+0) #0& 4')7.#614; %1/2.+#0%' 61 72&#6'5 #0& (.''6 /#0#)'/'06
INNXNNN 537#4' (''6 1( 81%#6+10#. 647%-5 #0& '37+2/'06
Call 1.800.441.NTEA (6832) or visit NTEA.com
MONDAY-TUESDAY, MARCH 5-6 06'05+8' '&7%#6+10#. 241)4#/ 10 )4''0 +0+6+#6+8'5 (14 914- 647%-5 .''6 &'2.1;/'06 ':2'4+'0%'5X &#6# #0& #0#.;5+5
GFLEET1111_kansas.indd 17
10/14/11 11:04:32 AM
HEAD
Thanks to a $4 million-plus grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in 2010, the City’s CNG program was able to expand to its current total of approximately 275 CNG units. The grant was the largest single source of funding the fleet ever received.
Grants Grow the Program The CNG pilot program began in 1997, with just 12 vehicles and a partnership with Missouri Gas Energy to fuel up at its stations. Then, in 2001, a large Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant allowed the program to expand to 40 CNGpowered vehicles and its very own fueling station. CMAQ grants in 2006, 2007, and 2008 followed at roughly $500,000 a piece, for a total of $3.4 million over the course of seven years. While these grants kept the program up and running, and grew it to some 80 vehicles, the City had a hard time expanding it in a more profound way. First, CNG units have high up-front costs and second, Kansas City’s sprawling metro area requires fueling stations be located near where units are nested. Both individual units and new stations were needed to expand the program, but neither was a possibility until more grant funding could be garnered. In 2010, an opportunity came when the fleet landed its largest single source of funding ever through a partnership with Kansas City Regional Clean Cities: an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant for $4.03 million — more than the sum total of all CMAQ grants since 2001. 18
Since then, the program has expanded to some 275 CNG units, with four fast-fill stations and one slow-fill station. “We’re now able to buy more heavy-duty vehicles, which is a great investment, as they save the most money in fuel costs,” Swearngin said. Today the fleet’s CNG units total about 8 percent of its roughly 3,000 vehicle fleet, including 209 light-duty, 10 medium-duty, and 56 heavy-duty vehicles.
Oil Shortage Ushers in Benefits Where once the major benefit of using CNG was the lessened environmental impact, Swearngin said the global oil situation has made the price — and the reduced dependence on oil — the defining benefits of CNG today. “The oil shortage has forced us to drill in more expensive places, so the price of diesel has gone up while production has remained flat. On top of that, we’re competing against other countries for oil,” Swearngin said. “Energy security has become a big topic, and now rivals the environmental benefits of the program. That’s what’s driving the program now — it’s way cheaper than diesel and is domestically produced. Of course, the environmental benefits re-
main important, too.” Swearngin said, on average, in the month of August 2011, the City’s CNG gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) was dramatically lower than both diesel and unleaded, with diesel at $3.74 per gallon, unleaded at $3.62 per gallon, and CNG at $1.55 GGE. There are other benefits, too. The City’s CNG program is paving the way for private citizens to use the alternative fuel. And, the more natural gas units there are on the road, the more likely prices will drop overall. The program also garners goodwill among the public. “In our City, very few people think our alternative-fuel program is a bad thing,” Swearngin said. “It’s good PR that we use cleaner, domestically produced fuel.”
The Future of the Program The next step for the City will be to outsource its alternative-fuel stations to a CNG provider. This will allow the City to grow its capacity faster, and some stations will even provide public pumps. “Outsourcing our stations will let us focus our attention on writing grants to get more CNG units,” Swearngin commented. “I’m not saying that’s the answer for all fleets, but for us it’s the smart thing to do
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_kansas.indd 18
10/14/11 11:04:34 AM
Fuel savings is among several benefits the City of Kansas City fleet realized as a result of using CNG. According to the City, recent prices of the alternative fuel were less than half the cost of both diesel and unleaded gasoline.
to keep growing the program.” With plans already in the works to add a fueling station near its trash truck and snow plow fleets, the City will also be able to target those units for CNG replacements. Replacing gas guzzlers could mean big savings for the City — with average August prices alone, saving roughly $2 per gallon for a unit that uses about 500 gallons a month means $12,000 in savings per year for each and every unit, for a total annual savings of approximately $3.3 million. While growing its alternative-fuel program remains one of the fleet’s primary goals, one major change is how it will grow: Swearngin believes that in the future, expanding the CNG fleet could be done without the need for grants. “Assuming the price differential between diesel and CNG stays the same, lifecycle cost analyses we’ve performed justify the costs of natural-gas fueled trucks,” he said. “Because we won’t have to come up with the capital for stations, it makes it easier to expand the program to virtually every heavy truck we have.” So far, Kansas City has seen major environmental and financial benefits of CNG — benefits that directly affect the public. But, Swearngin still says there is more work to be done. “I’m not saying natural gas is a magic bullet. We should do everything to conserve energy and take steps to change how cities are laid out so that they operate more efficiently,” he said. “CNG isn’t going to do it alone — it’s just one small piece in a large picture of energy. But it definitely helps.”
INNOVATIVE
CLEAN
COST-EFFECTIVE
INDEPENDENT
North America’s Most Trusted Partner For Natural Gas Powered Engines Westport Innovations, Inc., the global leader in natural gas engines, is now bringing our world-class technology to the automotive and light-duty truck markets through Westport Light Duty Inc. Westport LD provides a single-source solution using Detroit-based, original equipment engineering: delivering superior reliability to keep your trucks on the road. When you’re ready to break free and run your fleet on low-cost, clean-burning, domestic natural gas, we’re your proven partner. Learn more about Westport LD today. It makes good business sense.
Expanded Web Content Visit www.greenfleetmagazine. com/magazine to see a photo gallery of Kansas City’s CNG vehicles.
www.Westport-LD.com
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 ■ GREEN FLEET
GFLEET1111_kansas.indd 19
19
10/14/11 11:04:35 AM
Goo
Corporate DNA Internet giant Google pioneered its Gfleet car-share program in 2007 with a fleet of Prius vehicles. It recently traded those in for Chevrolet’s Volt and Nissan’s LEAF. By Chris Wolski
T
he reason for Google’s Gfleet carshare program is simple — it’s a natural part of the Internet giant’s “corporate DNA,” according to Transportation Manager Kevin Mathy. Wildly popular among the 15,000 “googlers” — as the search engine’s employees are known — at the company’s Mountain View, Calif., headquarters, the car-share program is building morale and saving money. It is set to expand in 2012. The company’s Gfleet car-share program was launched in 2007 as a result of the efforts of the company’s philanthropic arm, Google.org and its RechargeIt Initiative. The car-share program was a natural demonstration of the initiative’s goals. “The purpose of the RechargeIt Initiative was to show the viability of plug-in vehicles, and that they could be a real game changer in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and just sort of changing the whole paradigm of driving,” explained Rolf Schreiber, techni-
AT A GLANCE Google’s use of LEAF and Volt vehicles for its car-share program offer the company and its employees several benefits, including: ● A “safety
net” to use alternative transportation.
●A
smaller carbon footprint.
● Low
20
total cost of ownership.
cal program manager in charge of Google’s electric transportation initiatives.
Electrifying Start According to Mathy, the idea of the carshare program was wholeheartedly supported by senior management from the beginning. So, with the executive green light, all he and Schreiber had to do was buy the plug-in vehicles to get the program rolling. Simple as that. However, that wasn’t as easy as it sounded. In 2007, there wasn’t a plug-in vehicle available for ready purchase. So, using some Google ingenuity, they purchased a fleet of Toyota Prius vehicles and a few Ford Escape hybrids with plug-in modules installed by Hymotion, which is owned by A123 Systems, a company that specializes in equipping hybrid vehicles with plug-in technology. While it could have turned out to be a less-than-ideal stop-gap measure until the market caught up to Google’s program, the results were better than Schreiber could have hoped for. “It turned out to be a great first step,” he said. “Hymotion had, by far, the most fully thought out product. It was crash tested and California Air Resources Board (CARB)certified. The cars basically ran flawlessly for the four years we had them in service.” However, after four years of service the Prius vehicles were retired due to their age,
and because, explained Mathy, “We wanted to advance and promote sustainable transportation, and so it just made sense to go to the next level and use an electric vehicle (EV) with a range extender such as the Chevrolet Volt and a pure EV with the Nissan LEAF.” According to Mark Perry, director of product planning for Nissan, the LEAF is particularly suited to a company car-share program such as Google’s. “You look at the utility of the vehicle — it’s a five-door hatchback with room for five adults. The fact that it uses no gas and no oil and has sufficient range, whether its ride-sharing, carpooling, or an employee shuttle between campus locations, makes the LEAF a perfect choice.” The LEAF and Volt aren’t the only green commuting option open to googlers. The company also operates several biodiesel GBuses, which are used by a about a third of the headquarter employees five days per week. The 5-percent biodiesel shuttles are an additional way to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
Alt Commute = EV Access The Gfleet vehicles are available to any googler who takes public transportation, bicycles, carpools, or vanpools to work. The
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_google.indd 20
10/14/11 6:17:27 AM
are investing — on their own — in electric vehicles, such as the Volt and LEAF. Offering electrified parking spaces is a way to help encourage individual sustainability. The frequency of use of the charging stations has been an unexpected and pleasant surprise for Mathy. “We were concerned that we would have a lot of charging stations available that weren’t being used, but it has been contrary to that. We almost need a waiting list because demand is so high,” he said.
PHOTO: ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ILEXX
‘Please, Plug Me In’
vehicles are meant for employees to run errands throughout the day. “This is an incentive to take alternative transportaion and a safety net for people to leave their own personal car at home and take an alternative commute to Google,” Schreiber said. This “safety net” has resonated with the googlers. According to Mathy, the vehicles are used “extensively,” being regularly reserved at the rate of 100 percent almost every day during the mid-day peak. Considering that 30 to 40 percent — or up to 6,000 googlers — are eligible to use the alt-fuel vehicles, demand could foreseeably outstrip supply. “In fact, this is why Rolf and I are looking at next year, because we need to increase the car-share fleet to meet demand,” Mathy said.
Keeping up With Demand A key component of the success of the Gfleet car-share program is having a sufficient and accessible number of electrified parking spots. In addition to parking spots for the 35 Gfleet vehicles, Google has installed, through Coulomb Technologies, more than 200 level 1 and level 2 chargers, with the ultimate aim of electrifying 5 percent of the spots. The plethora of electrified parking spots reflects the growing number of googlers who
While there have been no negatives with the Gfleet program, there have been challenges. Chief among them, according to Schreiber, is that drivers have a tendency not to plug the cars in when they return them. “Ever since we’ve had the Prius vehicles, this has been a constant battle,” he added. To solve it, Google is working with its fleet management company (FMC), Enterprise Rent-a-Car, looking at a number of solutions, including keeping the car from locking if it hasn’t been plugged in, an auditory reminder such as “please, plug me in,” or using text messages to communicate with drivers. Perry of Nissan said that there is a smartphone app that’s already available for the LEAF that allows the FMC to monitor if the vehicle has been plugged in. “It’s really about driver education,” Perry said. The other challenge has been related to the parking spaces, said Schreiber. “On the EV infrastructure side, we’ve been dealing with Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requirements for providing accessible parking spaces for charging,” he said. “We completely embrace the standards, but are eagerly hoping that they will soon become completely uniform, which will help us serve those who are in need of electrified spots.”
Next Green Steps Google is not the kind of organization that sits on its laurels. So, it’s a matter of course that Mathy and Schreiber are already contemplating the next steps for the Gfleet, which includes expanding the program to other Google sites along with an EV infrastructure. The company will be adding new makes and models to the EV roster as they are released for sale, providing feedback
about the vehicle and how it was received by the googlers. Schreiber said that the latter has been a benefit for the OEMs. “We’ve tried to position Gfleet all along as sort of a test bed for new and emerging technologies in terms of plug-in vehicles,” he observed. “I think Toyota gained an awful lot from the experiences we had with the Prius vehicles. We now have an agreement with Honda as well to have a demonstration vehicle of its upcoming Fit electric vehicle and we’re working with some other automakers in similar ways.”
Expanding the Quiver With a corporate culture oriented toward sustainability, the morale boost that the Gfleet has provided is unsurprising. “People love the fact that they can have the zero-emissions vehicle to go do their errands or go do whatever they need to do,” Schreiber said. Beyond the employee morale boost, Schreiber noted that there are several tangible offsets, such as the fleet’s smaller carbon footprint and monthly savings in gasoline costs. The company is also seeing additional savings in the lower maintenance needs of the Volt and LEAF. “On the Volt, the oil change interval is every 25,000 miles,” Schreiber said. “There is essentially no maintenance on the LEAF other than rotating the tires and adding windshield wiper fluid and changing the cabin air filter every 50,000 miles, or every four years. In terms of total cost of ownership, between getting the federal rebate and the California rebate for the pure EVs, plus the lower cost of maintenance overall, it will definitely make up the price premium in a couple of years.” While Google’s corporate culture is ideally suited to pursuing a green fleet option, Perry of Nissan noted that the LEAF and other EVs are a good fit for any corporate culture interested in improving its bottom line. In addition, the Gfleet program has become another arrow in Google’s benefits “quiver,” Mathy said. “Google, as a company, offers a wide range of incentives and benefits to our employees, and all those in combination are used in recruiting the best and the brightest talent. This is just another menu item to do that,” he said.
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 ■ GREEN FLEET
GFLEET1111_google.indd 21
21
10/14/11 6:17:30 AM
Mammoth National Balancing Sustainability Traveling up to 475 miles and utilizing around 80 gallons of fuel per day during its peak season, the national park depends on propane autogas to help reduce its carbon footprint. By Roy Willis
M
ammoth Cave National Park’s commitment to incorporate sustainable initiatives into all aspects of its operation has made it the first of 394 National Park Service sites to run all light- and medium-duty vehicles on alternative fuels, including biodiesel, ethanol, and propane autogas. The Kentucky park converted its entire fleet of six buses from gasoline to propane autogas more than a decade ago to transport over 200,000 visitors to entrances of the world’s longest known cave system each year. The buses, fueled by propane autogas, provide such a high-performing and sustainable solution for the park that it is replacing four buses with new Blue Bird Vision propaneautogas-fueled buses later this year.
Domestic, Sustainable Alternative Fuel In the mid-1990s, Mammoth Cave National Park received a grant from the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition (KCFC) — a Clean Cities coalition member — to convert buses to run on propane autogas. The buses make continuous routes from visitor 22
parking lots to four cave entrances across the park and travel a combined 475 miles a day during the park’s busy season. Propane autogas is the leading alternative fuel in the United States and the nation’s third most common vehicle fuel after gasoline and diesel, fueling more than 270,000 vehicles across the country, according to the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC). Propane autogas is a domestic resource, as 90 percent of propane autogas supplies are produced in the U.S. Fueling with propane autogas helps reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil. Vehicles fueled by propane autogas emit 25-percent less greenhouse gas emissions, 12-percent less carbon dioxide, 20-percent less nitrogen oxide, and up to 60-percent less carbon monoxide than gasoline-fueled vehicles. The conversion to propane autogas not only contributes to cleaner air but also extends the life of the buses’ engines because propane autogas burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel and reduces engine wear. “Fueling our buses with propane autogas matches Mammoth Cave’s mission to be an
environmental leader and employ sustainable practices,” said Mammoth Cave National Park Superintendent Pat Reed. “The buses allow us to transport visitors while reducing our carbon footprint.”
High Performance with Reduced Maintenance The buses’ high performance — combined with reduced emissions, cost, and maintenance — led Mammoth Cave to invest in new propane-autogas-fueled technology. The park recently purchased four new Blue Bird Vision propane-powered school buses to replace aging buses in its fleet through a grant from the Energy Department that was facilitated by the
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_mammoth.indd 22
10/14/11 6:18:00 AM
Cave Park: & Functionality
Buses are refueled onsite via a 1,000-gallon propane autogas tank, which makes fueling efficient and easy.
Mammoth Cave’s buses, fueled by propane autogas, transport more than 200,000 visitors each year to participate in tours. Visitors say they appreciate the park’s use of an environmentally friendly fuel.
KCFC. The park’s concessionaire, Forever Resorts, oversees maintenance, refueling, and operation of the buses. “Our engines are getting more years of service with propane autogas,” said Greg Davis, general manager of Forever Resorts. “We haven’t had any problems as far as maintenance is concerned.” The buses climb the park’s hills with no trouble, and drivers and passengers have not noticed a difference in performance. “The performance is exactly the same as a gasoline- or diesel-fueled bus; there is immediate acceleration and lots of power,” Davis said. The park owns a 1,000-gallon onsite refueling dispenser, while Forever Resorts
negotiates an annual fuel contract and manages weekly fuel delivery with a local propane autogas provider. The speed and ease of refueling is comparable to that of gasoline or diesel, and government incentives are available for infrastructure installation. During busy summer months, the buses use around 80 gallons of fuel daily. All drivers are trained on proper refueling procedures. Even after the delivery of the new Blue Bird Vision propane-autogaspowered buses, the park doesn’t rule out adding more buses in the future. “We want to continue to provide examples of how to interact in a sustainable way with our environment,” Reed said.
About the Author Roy Willis is the president & CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). He can be reached at roy.willis@propane council.org. The Propane Education & Research Council was authorized by the U.S. Congress with the passage of Public Law 104-284, the Propane Education and Research Act (PERA), signed into law on October 11, 1996. The mission of the Propane Education & Research Council is to promote the safe, efficient use of odorized propane gas as a preferred energy source through research and development, training, and safety initiatives.
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 ■ GREEN FLEET
GFLEET1111_mammoth.indd 23
23
10/14/11 6:18:02 AM
AT&T Reaches Milestones in 10-Year Alt-Fuel Fleet Program
AT&T has made an investment of $565 million in clean vehicles since 2009. These vehicles include both passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles that fulfill a number of roles. The telecommunications giant has both electric vehicles (pictured) and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles as part of its alternative-fuel fleet of 4,000 vehicles. The company operates a fleet of 71,500 vehicles in total.
By Greg Basich
AT A GLANCE In 2009, AT&T announced it was dedicating up to $565 million toward purchasing alternative-fuel vehicles for its fleet. Some of the company’s recent program highlights and future goals include: ● The
saving of 49 million gallons of gasoline by 2018.
● Greenhouse-gas
reduction equivalent to removing 38,600 passenger vehicles from the road for one year.
● Have up to 8,000 CNG-fueled vehicles in
its fleet, by the end of 2013
24
The telecommunications company purchased its 4,000th alternative-fuel vehicle and its 3,000th compressed-natural-gasfueled vehicle this year. AT&T is now well on its way toward meeting its 15,000 alt-fuel vehicle goal by 2018.
I
n 2009, AT&T made a commitment to fleet sustainability by announcing that it would commit up to $565 million over a 10-year period to purchase alternativefuel vehicles (AFVs) for its fleet. AT&T reached several milestones on its way to its 15,000 alt-fuel vehicle goal this year, having purchased its 4,000th alternative-fuel vehicle (now totalling 4,661 units) and
its 3,000th compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle (now totalling 3,196 units). The company’s total fleet size is currently more than 71,500. Early during this initiative, AT&T’s Chief Sustainability Officer Charlene Lake reached out to the Center for Automotive Research to discover the impact of its investment in AFVs. AT&T learned that its
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_att.indd 24
10/13/11 2:03:41 PM AF1011vw.indd 1
vwcorporatefleet.com
The space you need. The efficiency you want. Compliments of TDI.
The 2012 Jetta SportWagen TDI Clean Diesel.
When two things go well together, it can be a thing of beauty.
more space, the 60/40 split-folding rear seats up the ante on
Peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, and when it comes
interior flexibility. While enjoying all that space and passing
to vehicles, space and efficiency. The 2012 Volkswagen
up fuel station after fuel station, you can rest easy knowing
Jetta SportWagen gives you the best of both worlds with
the Jetta SportWagen was named a 2011 Top Safety Pick**
its cavernous 66.9 cubic feet of space and available TDI
by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and comes
Clean Diesel engine that sips fuel at a wallet-friendly rate
with Volkswagen’s Carefree Maintenance® Program.†
of 42 highway mpg.* And if your fleet drivers need even
Learn more at vwcorporatefleet.com.
®
*66.9 cubic feet with rear seats folded. 42 highway mpg (2011 Jetta SportWagen 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel with manual transmission). EPA estimate. Your mileage will vary. **“Top Safety Pick” based on 31 mph side-impact crash test, 40 mph frontal-offset crash test, 20 mph rear-impact test, roof strength testing, and the availability of ESC. Test performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. For details, visit iihs.org. See vw.com for more information on safety features.
GFLEET1111_att.indd 25 AF1011vw.indd 1
†The Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance Program covers the vehicle’s scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first on all 2009 or newer models. Coverage during the term of the new vehicle limited warranty at no additional charge. Some limitations apply. See dealer or vehicle maintenance program booklet for details. Learn more about Carefree Maintenance at vw.com/myvw/carefree.
10/13/11 2:03:47 PM 9/14/11 8:39:48 AM
CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY
plan will save a total of 49-million gallons of gasoline over the course of the 10-year deployment period. In addition, the plan will reduce carbon emissions by 211,000 metric tons. The company said this is the greenhouse gas equivalent of removing 38,600 passenger vehicles from the road for one year. The natural gas vehicles in the fleet are Ford E-250 and E-350 vans, Honda Civic GXs, Ford F-250s, Ford F-450s with LEEP aerial technology, Ford Transit Connects, and Chevrolet Express Vans. The company said its recent deployments are the latest in its planned 10-year investment of up to $565 million to replace 15,000 fleet vehicles with AFVs by 2018. AT&T said it estimates it will have up to 8,000 CNG-fueled vehicles in its fleet by 2013, at an estimated cost of $350 million. The company said it expects to invest an additional $215 million through 2018 to replace approximately 7,100 fleet passenger cars with AFVs. To find out AT&T’s strategy for its fleet, and the benefits it has seen from this initiative, Green Fleet interviewed Jerome Webber, vice president of fleet. “AT&T has a pretty large fleet of over 71,500 vehicles,” Webber said. “Our strategy of applying a more sustainable approach to our fleet came as part of an overall AT&Twide initiative to embrace sustainability across all areas of the business.” Webber said the $565-million investment is a shift in the company’s capital spend, rather than additional funds being dedicated to fleet. This shift will have a major impact on AT&T’s business, though, and help spur development and interest in AFVs. “We truly believe that we’re driving the market for cleaner vehicle types,” Webber said. “As a large fleet, we believe that when we make commitments to invest up to $565 million in clean vehicles, the announcement we made back in 2009, it sends a strong signal that this is not a passing trend or a company that just wants to ‘green’ a couple of vehicles. We’re serious about this commitment.”
AFV Applications The type of fleet application is a key fac26
By 2013, AT&T expects to have up to 8,000 CNG-vehicles in its fleet. The CNG van (pictured above) is one of the communications company’s 3,196 CNG units in operation today.
tor influencing the AFV models AT&T is purchasing. There isn’t necessarily an AFV available to meet all of the company’s fleet needs, but overall AT&T is making significant progress in finding vehicles that will work. “We are making sure the vehicles fit into our fleet,” Webber said. “Our strategy has always been to take a mixed approach to alternative fuels, leveraging not just one but a combination of different technologies.” These different fleet needs stem from the company’s diverse operations, from sales to servicing the systems that allow the company to provide its telecommunications services. “Our fleet, and the usage of vehicles in our fleet, is diverse,” Webber said. “This gives us the opportunity to look at our fleet in a diverse way and select vehicles that will be WEBBER successful in the areas where they make the most sense. One size does not fit all, and one technology might not be applicable to every aspect of our business.” One of the major changes that’s part of AT&T’s strategy is its commitment to using alternative-fuel passenger vehicles, but commercial vehicles are a somewhat different story. “Many of our managers drive passenger vehicles to do their daily work, and we decided back in 2009 that we would only pur-
chase alternative-fuel models going forward,” Webber said. “This has been a very manageable focus for us. Now, the [automotive] industry has plenty of vehicles to select from in the passenger vehicle category. For the commercial service fleet category, it’s a different challenge. In some cases there are no alternative-fuel vehicle choices for the work we do. Through careful selection and thorough trialing, however, we’ve been able to hit the mark in several applications and exceed our planned expectations in a positive way.” With natural gas running at 30- to 40percent less than unleaded gasoline or diesel, the company is seeing savings in fuel costs.
Lower Maintenance Costs Beyond fuel savings, one pleasant surprise for AT&T is reduced maintenance costs for its AFV fleet. Webber said the company looked at the conventional vehicles it purchased within the last three years and the AFVs purchased in that time period to ensure the comparison was accurate. Based on this comparison, Webber said he’s seen significant results. “We do track the performance of our alternative-fuel vehicles compared to our conventional-fuel vehicles, and we are seeing much better performance and fewer repair opportunities,” Webber said. “We have been pleased to see that the repair rate for our alternative-fuel vehicles is running significantly lower than that for our conventionally fueled vehicles.”
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_att.indd 26
10/13/11 2:03:49 PM
President Barack Obama inspects an AT&T all-electric vehicle on display during a tour of a UPS facility in Landover, Md., April 1, 2011. (Office White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Running a Pilot Program AT&T didn’t make the decision to focus on AFVs without doing its research. Webber said the company tests vehicles in different environments to ensure they can run in all types of weather and road conditions without issues. When asked about
specific examples, Webber offered the allelectric Ford Transit Connect and how the company decided to test it in the U-Verse segment of AT&T’s operations. “For example, we bought several gasoline versions of the Transit Connect,” Webber said. “We deployed them to the
segment of our business that would be using them to make sure we understood that the fit and function made sense. Once we were sure that was the case, we decided having an all-electric version also made sense. In the area of the business to which they’re deployed, there aren’t any issues with regard to disaster recovery or first responder responsibilities, and this helps overcome the initial range anxiety that often comes with driving an electric vehicle.” For AT&T, Webber said focusing on local sources of energy for its fleet will ultimately give the company better control over its fleet operations. “At the end of the day, as we continue to look at our fleet, we’re constantly reminded that whatever we can do to increase our focus on domestic sources of energy will give us a better chance of securing how we’re able to move our fleet and our business forward,” Webber said. “We’ve got a ways to go, but we’re getting there.”
» WEH® CNG FUELING COMPONENTS Top quality for maximum RELIABILITY
WEH® offers a wide range of NGV1 compatible products for safe and easy CNG vehicle refueling:
» Fueling Nozzles » Receptacles » Breakaways
» Check Valves » Filters » Hoses
WEH Technologies Inc. Call us: 832 331 00 21
» www.weh.us
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011 ■ GREEN FLEET
GFLEET1111_att.indd 27
27
10/13/11 2:03:54 PM
‘BIG EASY’
Rolls Out Red Carpet for
Renewable Fuels Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuel Partnership (SLCFP) brings biodiesel and ethanol to local film productions. By Julie Sutor
G
reenhouse gas reductions are getting the Hollywood star treatment in New Orleans with help from the Southeast Louisiana Clean Fuel Partnership (SLCFP) — one of the state’s two Clean Cities coalitions. SLCFP is partnering with independent film studio Second Line Stages to power film productions with biodiesel and ethanol. “Film companies are pushing to incorporate sustainability into the production process wherever they can,” SLCFP Coordinator Rebecca Otte said. “Transportation can be a fairly easy place to do that.” Production for a single film can involve the use of dozens of generators, hundreds of light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and thousands of gallons of fuel each day. In 2010, Second Line Stages Sustainability Director Diane Wheeler reached out to Otte to explore renewable fuel options with Hollywood Trucks, the largest film fleet in the South, and Golden Leaf Energy, a fuel producer and SLCFP stakeholder. Otte worked with the fleet owners to research vehicle specs, warranties, ASTM fuel standards, and fuel properties, while Wheeler brought productions on board. In September, Golden Leaf installed a biodiesel tank onsite at the studio, ready to dispense B-5. And, Second Line Stages is providing on-demand mobile fueling to keep the biodiesel flowing when productions move around the region. Second Line Stages and Golden Leaf will also be able 28
(Above, L-R) Rebecca Otte of SLCFP, Debbie Trimble of Hollywood Trucks, and Diane Wheeler of Golden Leaf Energy pose near a biodiesel vehicle and a portable refueling station. (Bottom, right) Ross Montalbano, fleet personnel with Hollywood Trucks, fills a truck with biodiesel. The three organizations worked together to make film production in the Bayou State greener. PHOTOS: BOBBY DEVA Y
to supply ethanol to any flex-fuel vehicles used during film productions. The biodiesel will be cheaper than traditional diesel fuel, as it’s made from recycled vegetable oil by an organization that serves at-risk youth. With support from SLCFP, Second Line Stages is keeping the renewables rolling by reaching out to other productions in the New Orleans area.
GET INVOLVED WITH CLEAN CITIES Through the work of nearly 100 local loca coalitions, Clean Cities works to reduce petroleum use in U.S. transportation. Clean Cities is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy. www.cleancities.energy.gov. For more information about SLCFP, e-mail Rebecca Otte at slcfp@norpc.org or visit www.cleanfuelpartnership.org.
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111_otte.indd 28
10/13/11 2:02:46 PM
THE ZERO COMPROMISE
ALTERNATIVE FUEL SOLUTION PROPANE AUTOGAS VS. GASOLINE
FUEL COSTS: 40% LESS VEHICLE WARRANTY: 5 YEAR / 60,000 MILE1 CO2 EMISSIONS: 24% LESS PERFORMANCE: IDENTICAL
2009 – Newer Ford E-150 / E-250/ E-350 (5.4L V8)
CLEAN UP YOUR FLEET, ONE GALLON AT A TIME Reducing your fleet’s greenhouse gas emissions by 24% is not only within reach, it’s only half the story. With propane autogas, you can also reduce your fuel costs by up to 40% with this American-made fuel. ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel systems are available for Ford light- and medium-duty trucks and vans with GVWR ratings up to 19,500 lbs. Let us show you how easy it can be to switch to propane autogas.
OTHER APPLICATIONS Retrofits Available
2007 - 2008 Ford F-150 (5.4L V8) 1
Coming Soon
Now Available
2009 - 2010 Ford F-250 / F-350 (5.4L V8)
2012 - Newer Ford E-350 DRW Cutaway (5.4L V8)
2012 - Newer Ford E-450 DRW Cutaway (6.8L V10)
2012 - Newer Ford F-250 / F-350 (6.2L V8)
2012 - Newer Ford F-450 / F-550 Chassis Cab (6.8L V10)
See ROUSHcleantech.com for complete warranty details
800.59.ROUSH GFLEET1111_otte.indd 29
ROUSHcleantech.com 10/13/11 2:02:52 PM
SHO WCASE TRANSIT PROTERRA ECORIDE Proterra’s EcoRide is a full-size (35-foot, 64-passenger) fast-charge battery electric bus capable of fully charging in under 10 minutes. The EcoRide is up to 600-percent more efficient than a typical diesel or compressed natural gas (CNG) bus — resulting in tremendous operating cost savings, the elimination of liquid fuels, and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The EcoRide achieves 21-plus miles MPGe, resulting in $750,000 in fuel savings versus diesel over a 16-year lifecycle and 44-percent less carbon annually versus CNG, according to the company. With the ability to run 300-plus miles per day and 30-plus miles per charge, the EcoRide can replace existing diesel or CNG buses on a one-to-one basis with no loss in performance or service limitations. It empowers transit agencies by creating a predictable operating environment utilizing electricity — offering
The Proterra EcoRide is a full-size, fast-charging battery electric bus. With a range of 30 miles per charge, it is ideal for fixed routes and can replace diesel or CNG buses on a one-to-one basis.
more price stability than fossil fuels. Proterra sets the bar for U.S.-made content in transit vehicles, with 80 percent of
its components made in America (33 states source materials for the EcoRide). www.proterra.com
FREIGHTLINER MB-HEV COMMERCIAL BUS CHASSIS The Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) MB-HEV hybrid-electric commercial bus chassis combines the benefits and convenience of a traditional drivetrain with the fuel economy of a regenerative brake-charged transmission. Built on FCCC’s popular MB-65 platform, the MB-HEV is equipped with a 2010 Cummins ISB 6.7L diesel engine and a hybrid-electric Eaton automated manual 6-speed transmission, which delivers as much as a 40-percent reduction in fuel consumption. The MB-HEV system is comprised of a Hybrid Drive Unit — the clutch, motor/ generator, and transmission — linked by a high-voltage DC-to-AC power inverter to the batteries and electronics in the power electronics carrier. The lithium-ion batteries capture and store energy during the regenerative braking phase of the vehicle’s operation, eliminating the need for plug-in 30
The Freightliner MB-HEV hybrid-electric commercial bus chassis can accommodate a GVWR of up to 32,000 lbs.
recharging, making the chassis ideal for transportation services that feature short runs and frequent stops. Both the engine and the Hybrid Drive Unit’s electric motor can provide power to the drivetrain, with the hybrid’s supervisory controller automatically selecting the most efficient mode of operation, based on operat-
ing conditions and driver demand. The MB-HEV offers a smooth ride thanks to front and rear Hendrickson SofTek parabolic leaf suspension, while its industry-best 55-degree wheel cut provides superior maneuverability. It can accommodate a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 32,000 lbs. www.freightlinerchassis.com
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111transit.indd 30
10/14/11 8:13:14 AM FF0909leaseplan.indd
SE
It’s your turn to explain why fleet is over budget this year. Time to consider PartnerPlan . SM
Do your fleet expenses have you avoiding budget meetings? LeasePlan’s innovative new lease option gives you more control over your fleet expenses. Experience what it’s like to have confidence in your fleet budget. Let us show you how it’s easier to leaseplan. For a no-risk quote and consultation from the experts at LeasePlan, visit www.us.leaseplan.com/partnerplan, or call us today at 877-766-7601.
www.us.leaseplan.com/partnerplan ©2009 LeasePlan
GFLEET1111transit.indd 31 FF0909leaseplan.indd 1
10/14/11 8:13:17 AM 9/1/09 8:30:53 AM
GREEN TALK
Right-Sizing is an Easy Way to Green Your Fleet MIKE ANTICH
T
here’s a direct correlation between vehicle weight, fuel economy, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To find the right equilibrium, you need to right-size the vehicles in your fleet. One form of rightsizing is transitioning to smaller-displacement engines. The cyclical volatility of gasoline prices during the past decade has been the catalyst for many companies to switch to four-cylinder engines. Another reason to downsize engines has been to achieve goals established in corporate-wide sustainability programs requiring GHG emissions reductions. One example is Merck, which established a corporate-wide initiative to reduce GHG emissions of its global fleet by 12 percent in 2012 from base-year 2005. One prong of this multipronged strategy is to increase the number of four-cylinder models in the U.S. fleet. Switching to four-cylinder engines allows fleets (that are primarily automobiles) to maintain the same-size vehicles necessary to meet fleet applications without downsizing to smaller classes of vehicles. Helping to facilitate the migration to smaller engines has been the incremental horsepower improvements in smaller displacement, fuel-efficient engines. Nowadays, some high-volume fleet models are only equipped with four-cylinder engines, without a V-6 option.
the vehicle downsizing process two years ago. This process will continue and no opportunity will be ignored to downsize vehicles,” said Phil Schreiber, fleet manager, North America for OTIS Service Center in Bloomfield, Conn. Similarly, Brown-Forman is implementing an initiative to downsize its fleet vehicles. “Two years ago, the SUV was the major vehicle in our fleet. Last year, we started to downsize to the crossover — large, mid, and small size,” said Mary Pat Crabtree, fleet & relocation manager for Brown-Forman in Louisville, Ky. “After months of discussion with management, it was concluded a mid-size sedan is the most appropriate vehicle.” Likewise, Carrier Corp. is reducing fuel and global GHG emissions through alterations and upgrades to its 3,000-vehicle fleet. Since 2006, Carrier reduced emissions by more than 30 percent through a variety of techniques, such as right-sizing and eliminating unnecessary weight during transport. Other fleets have adopted a minimum fuel economy target for new models entering their fleets, such as Red Bull North America, Inc. “We have downsized our vehicles and put a minimum 23 mpg combined restriction,” said David McCauley, fleet manager for Red Bull North America.
Growing Number of Fleets Right-Sizing
Spec’ing Lighter Weight Vehicles
In addition to ballooning fuel budgets and meeting sustainability objectives, another reason for right-sizing is changing business practices. “Our business practices have evolved over the years to the point where we can use smaller and lighter vehicles for our field service technicians,” said Frank Felicetta, director − fleet operations for Cablevision, headquartered in Bethpage, N.Y. Another fleet in the midst of a multiyear right-sizing initiative is OTIS. “We started
Ultimately, fleet application dictates vehicle size. However, it is possible to spec a lighter vehicle without going down a class. When spec’ing vehicles, compare the weight of major components. For example, some engines weigh several hundred pounds less than others with the same horsepower and torque. Some pumps are much lighter than others for similar flow and pressure ratings. Aluminum wheels can save hundreds of pounds over steel wheels, especially for trucks, depending
32
Cer
on the number of axles. Individual weight savings start adding up, and proper specifications can eliminate a lot of weight before a vehicle goes into service. For instance, an oversized fuel tank adds unnecessary weight. Unless the vehicle will be used in an area where fuel isn’t easily accessible, why carry around three or four days’ worth of fuel? A gallon of gasoline weighs 6 lbs. and a gallon of diesel fuel weighs 7 lbs. Factor in the weight of the fuel tank, and carrying 50 extra gallons of fuel could mean needlessly hauling up to 400 lbs. Similarly, look closely at upfit equipment and consider alternative, lighter versions to get the job done, such as lighter weight bodies using high-tensile steel or composites. Every pound of extra weight requires an engine to work harder, decreasing fuel economy. Similarly, every pound deleted from curb weight not only reduces emissions, but can be directly converted into revenue-generating payload. Vehicles get better fuel mileage when not loaded with unnecessary weight. An extra 100 lbs. in a vehicle could reduce mpg up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to a vehicle’s weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones. However, right-sizing a payloadcarrying truck to improve fuel economy requires caution. Some fleets, for example, have sought better fuel economy (and lower acquisition cost) by replacing larger trucks with lower GVW trucks. However, this increases the risk of overloading, which will create an unsafe vehicle and result in needless liability exposure in the event of an accident. This risk can be easily avoided by simply following OEM specifications. In the final analysis, right-sizing the vehicles in your fleet reduces fuel consumption, which will reduce GHG emissions. When it comes to greening your fleet, right-sizing is the right thing to do. Let me know what you think. mike.antich@bobit.com
GREEN FLEET ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2011
GFLEET1111edit.indd 32
10/14/11 6:17:01 AM GRN0911coalition.indd
Certify Your Green Fleet Operation www.greenfleetcoalition.com
GRF09-08.11
Coalition Members
GFLEET1111edit.indd 993 GRN0911coalition.indd 1
10/14/11 6:17:03 AM 9/8/11 1:56:54 PM
THE CHALLENGE: IMPROVING THE BOTTOM LINE OUR SOLUTION: MANY FUEL EFFICIENT VEHICLES
| 2012 GMC TERRAIN
| 2012 BUICK LACROSSE WITH eASSIST
| 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE ECO
We know that fuel costs affect your bottom line. That’s why our 2012 lineup includes 12 models with an EPA-estimated 30 MPG hwy. or greater when running on gasoline. We continue to develop new ways to improve fuel economy without compromising performance—many of our powertrains are equipped with features such as Active Fuel Management, Clean Diesel Technology and Spark Ignition Direct Injection. For more solutions, visit gmfleet.com.
2012 30+ MPG HWY. VEHICLES Chevrolet Cruze ECO Chevrolet Volt1 Chevrolet Cruze Buick LaCrosse with eAssist
42 MPG hwy. 40 MPG hwy. 38 MPG hwy. 36 MPG hwy.
Buick Regal with eAssist Chevrolet Sonic Chevrolet Malibu Buick Regal
36 MPG hwy. 35 MPG hwy. 33 MPG hwy. 32 MPG hwy.
Chevrolet Equinox GMC Terrain Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet Impala
32 MPG hwy. 32 MPG hwy. 30 MPG hwy. 30 MPG hwy.
1
Available to order at participating dealers. Quantities limited. ©2011 General Motors LLC
GFLEET1111cover.indd 994
10/14/11 11:31:26 AM