Alternative Fuel Infrastructure: Strategies for Getting Your Fleet Access to Alternative Fuel

Vista Consultants, LLC Marc McConahy – FEMP Fleet Contractor since 2001 – Facilitator monthly Interagency Committee on Alternative Fuels and Low Emission Vehicles (INTERFUEL for short) since 1991 – Experience with all alternative fuels and supporting infrastructure

Department of Veterans Affairs Regina Larrabee – Mechanical Engineer – Federal facility energy programs for 20+ years – Part of VA fleet program since 2008 – VA Fleet Program Manager since 2010 – Has taken the lead in the installation of E85 stations throughout Veterans Affairs

VA accomplishments – Completed a feasibility study in 2009 identifying requirements for 91 potential on-site E85 stations – Centrally funded program to install E85 tanks at medical centers Awarded contracts for 33 projects in FY 2011; – 9 have been completed and are now in operation; – 24 more to go

Department of the Interior Mark Rich – Mammoth Cave National Park Concessions and Safety Manager – 30 + years with the National Park Service (NPS) – NPS Environmental Auditor – Chair of the Mammoth Cave National Park Green Team since 2004

Mammoth Cave NP Accomplishments – First unit of the US Department of Interior to develop an on-site fueling station for E85 ethanol – First unit of the National Park to become 100% alternative fuel compatible in the GSA motor fleet. – Current alternative fuel station offers E85, Bio- Diesel, and Propane – Active partnership with the park concessioner Forever Resorts

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Bruce Chesson – Transportation Officer and Alternative Fuel Program Manager for NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida since – Built E-85 and electric charging infrastructure. – Current operating fleet is over vehicles - 77% alternative Fuels

Kennedy Space Center Accomplishments – Vehicles in active use: 77 Low Speed Electric; 34 dedicated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG); 87 Bi- Fuel vehicles (CNG or unleaded gasoline); 677 E- 85; 110 B20; 33 Hybrids – KSC has been early adopters for highway speed electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. – Operate CNG, E85, B20 and EV stations on-site Clean Cars at KSC

General Services Administration Sean Seymour – Alternative Fuel Vehicle Analyst – Office of Fleet Management for 3 years – Experience in Electric Vehicle Charging Station Procurement and Monitoring

GSA accomplishments – Electric Vehicle Pilot 116 Electric Vehicles 88 GSA Purchased Charging Stations 3 Different Vendors – Electric Vehicle Charging Station Availability Schedule 23V SIN New Technologies 9 Manufacturers Under GSA Advantage

Department of the Navy – US Marine Corps Jim Gough – Marine Corps Transportation Services Director since – Responsible for developing and managing the Petroleum Reduction/Alternative Fuel & Vehicle Strategy – Acquisition and transportation management operations budget exceeds $100M annually

US Marine Corps Accomplishments – E-85 use doubled each year since 2007 – Biodiesel use strong, leveling off – CNG use recovering increasing from downward slide ended in 2010 – H 2 FCV pilots in SoCal &Hawaii, 6 FCVs – EV charging infrastructure growing

Order of Our Infrastructure Discussion Today – Hydrogen – Propane – Natural Gas – Biodiesel – Electricity – E85 Ethanol

AF Infrastructure Challenges Encountered Hydrogen – Technology is not standardized – Emphasis on hydrogen vehicles has declined – Infrastructure Cost / Vehicle Cost – Finding space – Tank installation and vehicle/delivery truck access – Codes/Laws – Fire and building codes

AF Infrastructure Challenges Encountered Propane – Few vehicles available – Infrastructure Costs relatively low – Fleet acceptance – Codes/Laws – Fire and building codes

AF Infrastructure Challenges Encountered Natural Gas (LNG or CNG) – Local infrastructure available – Infrastructure costs high / maintenance complex (gas company willing to install in some locations) – Dispenser electronics do not last forever; manufacturers come and go – parts availability – Availability of vehicle maintenance limited – Codes/Laws – Fire and building codes

AF Infrastructure Challenges Encountered Biodiesel – Uncertainties about performance in cold weather – Concern about voiding vehicle warranties – Insufficient use to support bio-diesel tank – Incompatible dispensing hoses – Swap from diesel to biodiesel – Do not use biodiesel in static tanks (emergency generators)

AF Infrastructure Challenges Encountered Electricity – Need to reserve parking spaces solely for EVs – Lack authority to allow charging of non-government vehicles – Up-Front Financial Costs – Infrastructure is reasonably priced, installation can be very expensive – Storm outages of chargers – Resetting of ground fault protection safety circuit breakers – Billing and payment issues – How Many Stations are needed to Support a Fleet? – Which Network Manager to Choose? – Codes/Laws – Fire and building codes

AF Infrastructure Challenges Encountered Ethanol (E85) – Finding space – Tank installation and vehicle/delivery truck access – Codes/Laws – Fire Codes, permitting – Landlords – Leased property / coordination with other agencies – NEPA – Complicated process / Historical sites / Odd requirements – Station installers with no E85 experience, station designers with limited experience – economic delivery and stock rotation needs – Installation materials not E85 compatible