Today the Obama administration moved the federal government closer to its goal of cutting petroleum consumption 30% by 2020 and putting 1 million advanced vehicles on the road by 2015.
President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum ordering federal agencies to develop guidelines for 100% purchasing of alternative fueled passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks by 2015.
The memorandum instructs agencies to develop and implement a methodology to determine their optimal fleet size and provide recommendations for alternative fuel vehicle acquisition. It also requires they have a plan in place to achieve the President’s target by 2015.
In conjunction with the memorandum, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced the launch of an electric vehicles (EV) pilot program to incorporate electric vehicles into the federal fleet.
The pilot will begin with GSA’s purchase of 100 EVs from Chevrolet, Nissan, and Think City vehicles.
The vehicles will be leased to 20 agencies, including the Department of Energy, and will be located in Washington, DC; Detroit, MI; Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA; and San Francisco, CA.
GSA conducted an open, competitive process requesting bids from vendors who could offer electric vehicles that meet Federal Vehicle Standards and comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Offers were evaluated based on: technical capability, management capability, past performance, and price. As the pilot progresses, other companies may bid to become eligible for future purchases.
As the pilot progresses, other companies may bid to become eligible for future purchases, GSA said.
As manager of federal fleets and buildings, GSA will coordinate with these agencies to establish necessary infrastructure for fueling and recharging at federal building locations that receive the first round of vehicles.
The House of Representatives Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC) says, "As the operator of the nation’s largest vehicle fleet, the federal government’s purchasing power can drive the widespread adoption of these vehicles, which will reduce America’s oil addiction and fuel costs, and decrease greenhouse gas and other air pollution, all the while growing American green jobs and our economy by increasing domestic production of the vehicles of the twenty-first century.
"Just as importantly, the Electric Vehicle Pilot Program and related efforts will save Americans money in two different ways: By reducing the federal government’s fuel costs – a direct saving for taxpayers that promises to grow with the success of this program; and by reducing America’s oil demand, which is one of the chief drivers of climbing gasoline prices. SEEC commends the Obama Administration for its continued work to break the oil addiction that is so costly to Americans and jeopardizes our national security."
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