Government & Politics  March 30, 2007

Green light for green vehicles

So-called “green” vehicles are making their way into government-owned fleets in Northern Colorado, but as yet their use is limited except for the city of Fort Collins.

Green vehicles, which include those that run on compressed natural gas, propane, E85 (a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded gasoline) and hybrid vehicles that combine gasoline and battery power, are touted as more environmentally friendly and easier on fuel than regular gasoline-powered vehicles.

But higher initial vehicle price, life-cycle costs and maintenance and fueling issues have kept some government fleets from jumping into the green pool.

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“We have no green vehicles right now,´ said Steve Kibler, fleet manager for the city of Loveland. “There’s no technology right now that’s cheaper (than gasoline) on life-cycle costs.”

On the other hand, about half of the city of Fort Collins’ 927-vehicle fleet utilizes some form of green power, with 17 new E85-capable flex-fuel Dodge Durangos on order for police use.

Tracy Ochsner, the city’s fleet maintenance superintendent, said Fort Collins has a long history of advocating green vehicles. “Basically, the city of Fort Collins has been in the alternative fuel business for 25 or 30 years,” he said. “We have really been proactive when it comes to alternative fuels. We feel really good now because the vehicles they offer today are much more reliable and emissions have decreased, too.”

E85 fuel site planned

Ochsner said the city decided to install its own pump to fill its E85-capable vehicles, which will number about 50 when the police vehicles arrive. There were only a few stations with E85 pumps in Northern Colorado until recently, including only one in Fort Collins, and that made it less attractive to invest in additional E85 vehicles, Ochsner said.

“The availability of the E85 is pretty low here, but we expect that to change in the next two to three years,” he said.

Ochsner said the city’s E85 fuel site should be operational within the next couple of months.

The city of Fort Collins has focused on reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving fuel mileage in several adopted plans over the last decade. The 2004 Action Plan for Sustainability calls for the city to  set a target of purchasing “three to five of the highest fuel-efficient and/or lower emission light-duty city fleet vehicles per year.”

Ochsner said the city is saving money on fuel costs on all of its green vehicles except those using biodiesel, which he expects will become less expensive over time. At the moment, fuel savings with green vehicles is basically offset by higher prices on biodiesel, Ochsner said. Still, the city’s commitment to green remains strong.

“Cost is one thing, but so is emissions and dependence on foreign oil,” he said.

Fort Collins leads pack

Pat Persichino, Weld County’s director of public works, said his fleet has 15 green vehicles, representing about 5 percent of the total fleet.

Persichino said county commissioners are encouraging the use of green vehicles where it makes sense. “The problem with alternative fuel vehicles is the manufacturers are not making vehicles that suit the need,” he said. “You’re limited to the vehicles you can pick.”

Tom Russell, equipment maintenance manager for the city of Greeley, said only four of the city’s 590-vehicle fleet are green vehicles – all gasoline-electric hybrids. Russell said the growing availability of E85 fuel in Greeley will likely increase the city’s use of E85-capable vehicles.

Russell said he doesn’t know how much the city is saving by using the hybrids. “We do know we’re saving fuel and cutting back on pollution,” he said.

Larimer County currently has only one green vehicle, a Toyota Prius gas-electric hybrid. Kim Nohava, the county’s fleet services director, said the county would like to add more green vehicles but it comes down to cost. He noted that a Prius costs the county a little over $21,000 compared to a similar-sized Ford Focus at about $11,400.

So-called “green” vehicles are making their way into government-owned fleets in Northern Colorado, but as yet their use is limited except for the city of Fort Collins.

Green vehicles, which include those that run on compressed natural gas, propane, E85 (a mix of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded gasoline) and hybrid vehicles that combine gasoline and battery power, are touted as more environmentally friendly and easier on fuel than regular gasoline-powered vehicles.

But higher initial vehicle price, life-cycle costs and maintenance and fueling issues have kept some government fleets from jumping into the green pool.

“We have no green vehicles right…

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