Las Vegas, NV Alternative Fuels Program

Type: Program

Status: Launched in the 1990s

Source File: http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/sustaininglasvegas/16078.htm

Description:

The city of Las Vegas has been a charter member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program since October 1993. Humbly entering the program with 50 fuel flexible vehicles, the city has garnered local and national accolades for its Alternative Fuels Program as well as conclusively proving the viability of cutting-edge automotive technology.

The city took a substantial risk in signing a five-year contract to construct a state-of-the-art hydrogen energy station on city property in 1999. This contract has subsequently been extended to 2009. The energy station was the first of its kind in the world when it was successfully negotiated. No other entity anywhere on the planet had built a state-of-the-art hydrogen energy station that supplied its own electrical power through a fuel cell apparatus at the time.

The city’s Alternative Fuels Program has come a long way since the early 1990’s. Today the city has converted 90 percent of its non-emergency fleet, approximately 1,350 vehicles. As of August 2007, the following fuel types are being used to power city vehicles and to improve valley air quality:

• 43 vehicles are dedicated Compress Natural Gas (CNG) – including pick up trucks, passenger vans and street sweepers.
• 125 vehicles are Bi-fueled – using CNG & 10% oxy gasoline – including some of the city’s 3/4 ton pick up trucks with utility bodies.
• 368 vehicles use a Biodiesel (B20) blend - including 3/4 and 1 ton pick-up trucks, 3/4 - 1 ton utility body trucks, cargo vans, street sweepers, aerial lifts, vactor/sewer trucks, crane trucks, and dump trucks (1-8 yard). Some of the city’s parks equipment also use Biodiesel including Gators, aerators, light to heavy duty mowers, tractors, flatbed tow truck, forklifts, off-road graders, backhoes, trenchers, Bobcats, power generators.
• 625 vehicles use 10% Oxy gasoline – including cars, 3/4 ton pick-up trucks, passenger vans, and cargo vans
• 85 Hybrids vehicles – including several Ford Escapes, Toyota Prius, and Honda Civics.
• Hydrogen vehicles including a Honda FCX and two12-passenger Ford Shuttle Buses
• Nine Hydrogen enriched Compressed Natural Gas (H/CNG) - Ford F150 3/4 ton pick-up trucks