Currently, less than 1 percent of vehicles on America’s roadways are fully electric. However, according to the New York Times, with a growing worldwide focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is projected that by 2035, 25 percent of all new car sales will be electric. In response to these trends, UNM’s Facilities Management Department (FM) and Parking & Transportation Services (PATS) are tripling the available electric vehicle parking spaces on campus.
“At PATS, we strive to be proactive in meeting the changing needs of the campus and our customers,” said Barbara Morck, PATS director. “The installation of new charging stations puts us ahead of the demand and positions us for the inevitable growth of electric vehicles.”
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Fairfax County is taking a small but crucial first step toward electrifying its sprawling government vehicle fleet, thanks to more than $4 million in state grants.
Gov. Ralph Northam announced on Friday (May 7) that the county will receive $4.4 million from the first round of Virginia’s Clean Air Communities Program, an initiative that launched in November using $20 million from the state’s Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust.
Three of the five awarded grants went to Fairfax County agencies:
Department of Transportation: $2.9 million for four shuttle buses and chargers
Department of Public Works and Environmental Services: $1.2 million for four solid waste and recycling trucks and chargers
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Virginia awarded more than $9.4 million as part of the first round of its Clean Air Communities Program to several government fleet electrification projects, with the vast majority going to Fairfax County and Dulles International Airport. (Shutterstock)
NORTHERN VIRGINIA Virginia awarded more than $9.4 million as part of the first round of its Clean Air Communities Program to several government fleet electrification projects in the state, with the vast majority going to Fairfax County and Dulles International Airport.
The Clean Air Communities Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, was established as part of the agency s oversight of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust.
South Carolina invests in 235 propane-fueled school buses
The South Carolina Department of Education will receive $23.6 million for 235 new, propane-fueled school buses with funding from the second round of the state’s share of the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust.
The Department of Education also committed $87,400 to build two new propane fueling stations for the expanded propane school bus fleet throughout the state. The school districts expected to receive buses include: Aiken, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester County School District Two, Greenville, Horry, Lexington School District One, Richland School District One, Richland School District Two and York School District Four.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman and South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) Director Ray Farmer announced the state’s total $24.54 million investment in school buses and public transit.
Derek Dalling and Tucker Perkins, guest writers
Of 25 total vehicles owned by Eatran, the Eaton County-based transit agency, 10 are fueled by propane (both Ford F-550s and E-450s) with plans to go 100 percent by the end of the year. For all three years of their use, the cost savings have been funneled back into the upkeep of their facility.
According to Chris Lake, Eatran lead mechanic, that s because propane is cheaper by about a dollar per gallon. As other fuel prices go up, it s even more than that.
Eatran is not the only one who has experienced the cost benefits of propane transit vehicles. So have fleets across the state including Clinton Area Transit System in St. John’s and The Rapid in Grand Rapids, among many others. But it’s not just cost savings that make propane the right alternative fuel choice for these organizations.