Right Lane Cruiser
04-23-2009, 07:47 AM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg "When gasoline went to $4 per gallon our phones started ringing off the hook." (http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12203855)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Prius-III_with_adaptive_CC.jpgRobert Gehrke - The Salt Lake Tribune (http://www.sltrib.com) - April 23, 2009
Less pollution is definitely a good thing. --Ed.
Utah's fleet could get a lot cleaner in the coming year, as the state spends $4.5 million to more than double the number of natural gas cars and gas-electric hybrids in the fleet.
It is a major investment and part of an effort to reduce emissions and cut costs for the roughly 7,400 motor vehicle fleet and officials say it puts Utah at the forefront when it comes to putting compressed natural gas -- or CNG -- vehicles on the road.
"In CNG we're out in front again," said Margaret Chambers, director of the state's Division of Fleet Operations. "I feel like we're still leading by example."
Over the next 14 months, officials are planning to buy 26 new CNG vehicles and convert nearly 100 from gasoline burning engines to run on natural gas.
The fleet also plans to buy a total of 343 new hybrid sedans -- either the Toyota Prius or the Cheverolet Malibu -- over that same period.
Keith Swearingen, president of the Rocky Mountain Fleet Management Association, said the move to hybrid and CNG cars is one of several options for state and local fleets and works well when it comes to passenger vehicles.
He said the technologies reduce the carbon footprint and the federal government is offering incentives through the stimulus package to coax fleets in that direction.
Salt Lake County, however, hasn't started moving toward natural gas because of the high infrastructure costs, said Greg Nuzman, associated director of the county fleet.
The total upgrade will cost the state $4 million more than just buying traditional gasoline-powered cars, but Chambers said the state will end up... http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12203855
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Prius-III_with_adaptive_CC.jpgRobert Gehrke - The Salt Lake Tribune (http://www.sltrib.com) - April 23, 2009
Less pollution is definitely a good thing. --Ed.
Utah's fleet could get a lot cleaner in the coming year, as the state spends $4.5 million to more than double the number of natural gas cars and gas-electric hybrids in the fleet.
It is a major investment and part of an effort to reduce emissions and cut costs for the roughly 7,400 motor vehicle fleet and officials say it puts Utah at the forefront when it comes to putting compressed natural gas -- or CNG -- vehicles on the road.
"In CNG we're out in front again," said Margaret Chambers, director of the state's Division of Fleet Operations. "I feel like we're still leading by example."
Over the next 14 months, officials are planning to buy 26 new CNG vehicles and convert nearly 100 from gasoline burning engines to run on natural gas.
The fleet also plans to buy a total of 343 new hybrid sedans -- either the Toyota Prius or the Cheverolet Malibu -- over that same period.
Keith Swearingen, president of the Rocky Mountain Fleet Management Association, said the move to hybrid and CNG cars is one of several options for state and local fleets and works well when it comes to passenger vehicles.
He said the technologies reduce the carbon footprint and the federal government is offering incentives through the stimulus package to coax fleets in that direction.
Salt Lake County, however, hasn't started moving toward natural gas because of the high infrastructure costs, said Greg Nuzman, associated director of the county fleet.
The total upgrade will cost the state $4 million more than just buying traditional gasoline-powered cars, but Chambers said the state will end up... http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12203855