Keep your community in motion while you reduce fuel usage and emissions — and add the savings to your bottom line.
Fleet vehicles often consume large quantities of fuel through intensive use and the low fuel economy of their vehicles, but that is changing. Municipalities across the nation are switching their fleets to save money and reduce emissions. New technology is available across the wide variety of equipment for a municipal fleet, which includes buses, police cars, sanitation vehicles, and construction equipment, and the commercial sector is making larger and larger commitments to electric, hybrid, natural gas, and propane technology.
MLC can help you upgrade or purchase not only the vehicles for your fleet, but we can also help with the purchase and installation of fueling stations.
- Vehicle Technologies
- Applications
- Benefits & Advantages
Advances in transportation technologies are happening quickly. In addition to the now-familiar fuel supplement ethanol, there are hybrid electric and full electric engines, clean diesel and biodiesel, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and Liquefied Petroleum (LPG - propane) engines in use today. Conversion kits are also available to help upgrade existing fleets.
Hybrid Electric and Full Electric
- Compact hybrid SUVs (Ford Escape, Toyota Highland hybrid)
- Full electric cars (Nissan Leaf)
- Hybrid passenger cars (Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Hyundai Sonata)
- Light duty trucks and vans (Chevy Tahoe and Silverado hybrid pickups, Ford Transit Connect Electric vehicles)
- Medium duty hybrid trucks, such as bucket trucks for Public Works (Transwest, OJ Watson)
- Hybrid school buses are in use in many American school systems (Bluebird, IC Bus)
- Heavy Duty hybrid diesel trucks (Peterbuilt, EOne, Navistar International)
- NEVs – Neighborhood Electric Vehicles are low-speed vehicles suited for all kinds of local jobs like parking enforcement and maintenance (Global Electric Motor Cars, Motrec, Columbia ParCar )
- Not only engines are being hybridized. In many heavy-duty fleets, engines idle 40% of the time at stops for many auxiliary needs including air conditioning, heating, running electronics inside the cab and more. These auxiliary functions can now be powered by hybrid powertrains or fuel cells.
Ford is working with Azure Dynamics to offer the Ford Transit Connect light duty electric vehicle. Utilizing an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls, the Transit Connect Electric can achieve a range of 50-80 miles depending on auxiliary usage and drive cycle, and has a top speed of 75 mph. The battery is rechargeable using either a 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlet.
The IC Bus CE Series plug-in hybrid electric school bus is built with a hybrid system featuring a 25/80kw induction motor and dual battery packs. The plug-in hybrid utilizes software calibrated to balance battery management and diesel engine power delivering fuel economy gains of up to 65%. Through regenerative braking, battery charge is controlled to provide a steady supply of power, even after the initial plug-in charge is depleted. This allows for less wear and tear on your brakes and additional operational savings.
Clean Diesel and Biodiesel
- Diesel vehicles are making a comeback. Diesel engines are more powerful and fuel-efficient than similar-sized gasoline engines (about 30-35% more fuel efficient). Plus, today's diesel vehicles are much improved over diesels of the past.
- Diesel passenger cars and vans ( Volkswagen,Izuzu )
- SUV's ( Ford)
- Light-duty and medium-duty trucks (GM, Izuzu-B20)
- Diesel retrofits can include adding: Oxidation Catalyst, Particulate Filters, and Non-idling Equipment
For the State of Connecticut's I-95 Q Bridge rebuild, the entire fleet of Caterpillar cranes and excavators was fitted with either a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst and/or used the low emission diesel fuel PuriNOx™, a water-diesel fuel emulsion made by Lubrizol.
Emisstar was formed in 2005 to assist private and public sector clientele with understanding diesel emissions and air quality issues and to help create effective responses. For the tower at 7 World Trade Center, a combination of fuel and exhaust after treatment strategies were employed to lower the site's diesel emissions profile, including ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, diesel oxidation catalysts, catalyzed wire mesh filters and active diesel particulate filter retrofits.
CNG, LNG and LPG
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) have emerged as good solutions to the problems of high oil prices and high exhaust emissions. Readily available, the price of natural gas is sometimes 1/3rd the price of diesel fuel. All diesel engines can be converted to burn natural gas.
- CNG - city transit buses (Cummins Westport Inc., Chesapeake, North American Bus Industries, commonly known as NABI)
- CNG Vans and Shuttles (Chevrolet Express van)
- CNG - passenger cars (Toyota, Ford Focus)
- CNG - Light-duty and medium-duty trucks (GM)
- CNG - Light-duty Biofuel
- CNG/LNG - Heavy-duty Trucks and specialty vehicles like street sweepers and refuse vehicles
- Propane - forklifts, warehouse lift trucks
- Propane - paratransit buses (Creative Bus Sales/Roush), and large buses (Blue Bird)
Blue Bird recently launched the Next Generation Propane-Powered Vision® school bus, a conventional Type C school bus which runs on propane instead of diesel fuel. The bus is powered by the Ford 6.8L engine and uses the ROUSH CleanTech Liquid Propane Autogas Fuel System.
Omnitek is a provider of CNG engines and packages that will convert diesel engines to CNG engines.
Another manufacturer is Altech-Eco Corporation, a Small Volume Manufacturer (SVM). Altech-Eco engineers and develops biofuel and dedicated alternative fuel conversion systems to convert vehicles to run on compressed natural gas (CNG)
HME Ahrens-Fox is the world's first dedicated manufacturer of fire apparatus to introduce a 100% compressed natural gas powered fire truck to the fire fighting industry. The HME Ahrens-Fox® CNG is the first fire, EMS and rescue response vehicle powered by a clean emission, compressed natural gas (CNG) engine. This innovative and industry leading fire apparatus meets all present EPA emission standards without the use or addition of exotic filters or exhaust gas treatment devices.
The Westport GX engine, a Liquid Propane Gas engine, offers class-leading emissions performance while maintaining equal horsepower, torque, and efficiency to a diesel-fueled engine. The application of Westport high-pressure direct injection (HPDI) technology to the Cummins ISX engine substantially reduces greenhouse gases (GHG) and other air contaminant emissions.
Vac-Con®, a maker of sewer and storm drain maintenance equipment, provides chassis with engines powered by CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) for those customers who request this alternative. For dual-engine machines, all auxiliary power meets current U.S. EPA standards, and is also available with "Scrubbers" to further reduce tailpipe particulate emissions or CNG power.
To make a fleet efficient and low cost, an operations manager has to look at the fuels used and their carbon content, the efficiency of each vehicle, the distance traveled, and the overall efficiency in transportation system operations. Here are some examples of how these technologies were implemented in municipal fleets, schools, maintenance and public works departments, and public safety departments around the nation.
Municipal Administration Fleets
- Hybrid passenger vehicles, SUV's, and light-duty trucks for all-purpose administrative needs
- For some municipalities, all electric passenger vehicles, SUV's, or low-speed NEV's (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles)
The Ford Fusion and Chevy Malibu are hybrid passenger vehicles in use in fleets across America today, and the all electric Chevy Volt is getting a foothold.
Chrysler Group Global Electric Motorcars recently launched the 2011 model year GEM line of battery-electric vehicles. The GEM vehicle line is the market leader in the low-speed vehicle industry and more than 45,000 vehicles are on the road worldwide.
Schools
- Hybrid school buses operate largely on electric power and recharge when a driver hits the brake pedal. The buses use diesel fuel for longer trips.
- The school district usually has a small fleet of passenger cars, which could include hydrids like the Toyota Prius, Honda Incite, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, or Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
- Many school bus fleets are using CNG.
- School maintenance departments can include hybrid light trucks and all-electric all-purpose vehicles for the school grounds.
- Campus polices departments frequently use hybrid SUV's for patrol units.
- Campus police also use low-speed all electric cars such as the Global Electric Motorcar, which added a right hand drive package that converts the GEM vehicle into the perfect police or security vehicle
- Large universities with miles of underground service corridors use electric vehicles to reduce travel time and increase service efficiency
The IC Bus CE-Series conventional bus (based on the International 3300 chassis) is available in diesel-electric hybrid configuration. IB Bus also offers a commercial bus HC-Series cutaway cab (based on International DuraStar) also available in a diesel-electric hybrid configuration for your Transit Authority.
Maintenance and Public Works Departments
- Electric light- and medium-duty vehicles for field maintenance and repair services
- Hybrid aerial rear mount bucket truck for street maintenance and parks departments
- Hybrid overhead aerial platform sign truck
- Hybrid passenger vehicles, SUV's, and light-duty trucks for water department needs
- CNG or hybrid specialty trucks, such as refuse vehicles and street sweepers
Transwest offers fleet sales and service with applications in every industry, including car sales, light, medium, and heavy–duty truck sales, and specialty vehicle sales of school buses, fire trucks, and recreational vehicles.
The Eaton Corporation works with manufacturers to create a hybrid vehicles. Eaton combines a vehicle's traditional internal combustion engine with an electric motor or a hydraulic launch assist system to move the vehicle forward and then through regenerative braking the system recharges itself. For example, Eaton recently worked with OJ Watson to make a Hybrid Snow Plow Truck for Jefferson County, CO. Fleet Services anticipates that the hybrid snowplow will use 30 percent to 50 percent less fuel than a traditional snowplow.
The 7 World Trade Center reconstruction in New York City included the first retrofit of a large tower crane, demonstrating the effectiveness of combining after-treatment devices and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in construction equipment.
Public Safety and City Services
Police Departments
- Ford Escape Hybrids are commonly being used as patrol units.
- Police administrations have fleet cars that can be hybrid, clean diesel, or all-electric.
- Emergency response vehicles for the chiefs are frequently hybrid SUV's.
- Mobile Command Centers can be medium-duty hybrid trucks, heavy-duty hybrid trucks, clean diesel buses, or hybrid electric buses.
- SWAT departments have a wide variety of demands that can be met with hybrid buses and medium-duty trucks.
Fire Departments
- Hybrid apparatus including pumpers, ladder trucks, and EMS vehicles
- Fire department administration executives have hybrid, clean-diesel, and CNG vehicles
- Mobile Command Centers can be medium-duty hybrid trucks, heavy-duty hybrid trucks, or hybrid buses similar to the E-ONE Hybrid Energy Command Center (HE-ONE).
- Hybrid ambulances
- Emergency response vehicles for the chiefs are frequently hybrid SUV's.
- All electric Mini Emergency Response Vehicles can bring EMS level treatment to civilians or emergency staff in off road conditions.
Parking
- All electric slow-speed NEV's, hybrid vehicles, or propane vehicles for meter reading and parking enforcement.
Transit Departments
- Hybrid buses for municipal transit
- CNG large vans and hybrid buses for shuttles
- Light-duty trucks for mobile repair and maintenance
- Medium-duty hybrid truck - towing, repair, and maintenance
- Hybrid passenger cars, SUV's, or NEV's for staff
E-ONE is a worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of fire rescue vehicles with more than 23,000 vehicles in operation around the world. Headquartered in Ocala, Florida, E-ONE is the industry leader in product innovations, new technologies and exceeding customer expectations. E-ONE manufactures custom and commercial pumpers and tankers, aerial ladders and platforms, rescues of all sizes, quick attack units, industrial trucks, and aircraft rescue fire fighting vehicles to meet the needs of fire departments, rescue/EMS squads, airports, Homeland Security agencies and the military. Its product line includes the E-ONE Hybrid Energy Command Center (HE-ONE).
The Peterbilt Model 330 Hybrid Electric is a Class-6 truck that can be configured with optional hydraulic brakes. In the hybrid version, it can achieve up to a 30 percent improvements in fuel economy in an urban driving cycle. The Model 335 Hybrid Electric is a Class-7 truck that can achieve up to 60% improvement in fuel economy in certain utility service applications.
These tips can help you select the right vehicles for your fleet or complete an upgrade that will save you money.
- Hybrid vehicles are proven reliable and save tremendous amounts of fuel per year.
- The fuel savings will more than offsets the cost of repairs for a hybrid vehicle.
- For example, a hybrid large school bus should save the district about 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel a year.
- Another example of a hybrid saving money: the Borough of Westwood's 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid Police vehicle saved 14 gallons of fuel per 12-hour shift. Recently the borough paid $2.65 a gallon for its bulk gasoline drop, which means it is now saving over $23,000 per year for just this one patrol unit. The borough paid just under $29,000 for the hybrid, so the Ford Escape Hybrid on patrol will pay for itself in fifteen months.
- Natural gas vehicles use an energy source that is relatively clean, domestic, and abundant
- Electric motors provide low-emission, low-operating-cost, quiet power
- New battery technology is allowing high-performance hybrid engines that use a small combustion engine and big battery power
- For diesel engines, particularly those used in construction equipment, add a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst.
- Convert your diesel construction equipment to use a cleaner diesel such as PuriNOx.