Cleancarmaps.com Gives Maps for Finding Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Sites
15 February 2000
New Web Site, Cleancarmaps.com, Gives Maps, Driving Directions for Finding California Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Sites
PASADENA, Calif.--Feb. 15, 2000--Natural Gas, Propane and Methanol Refueling Sites
CALSTART, in partnership with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), has unveiled a unique, multi-featured Web site that allows drivers of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) to locate refueling stations quickly and easily throughout California.
The site covers electric, compressed and liquefied natural gas, propane and methanol fueling facilities. The site will also list ethanol and hydrogen fueling facilities when they become publicly available in California.
Clean Car Maps, located at http://www.cleancarmaps.com, features interactive maps by MapQuest.com , a leader in online destination solutions (www.mapquest.com). Users need only pick an alternative fuel and enter a location and they will receive a map with icons designating the locations of AFV refueling sites in the area.
Users can then click on the site name to get comprehensive refueling information from a Web database. The database provides information such as hours of operation, refueling specifications, coordinates on Thomas Bros. Maps, a picture of the site, operator contact information and much more.
"We surveyed the alternative fuel vehicle refuel site directories on the Web and believe that this site offers superior ease-of-use and functionality for the AFV driver," said Michael J. Gage, president and chief executive officer of CALSTART.
"Instead of resorting to a static directory that is out-of-date as soon as it is posted, we're using the latest in geo-coded mapping and driving directions, and we've coupled it with a dynamically updateable Web database.
"It gives drivers and enthusiasts alike all the current information they need to reliably refuel their clean cars anywhere in California, and we've pledged to regularly maintain accurate refuel listings on behalf of the advanced transportation industry."
"California is the nation's leader in alternative fuel vehicle use," said William Burke, chairman of AQMD's Governing Board. "There are thousands of clean fuel vehicles in California and more than 1,000 refueling sites statewide.
"This new map site will help increase public awareness of the impressive public refueling infrastructure we have in California. It also furthers AQMD's goal of spurring alternative fuel vehicle use to combat air pollution in the South Coast Air Basin."
Web site users can get point-to-point driving directions for the shortest route, along with estimated travel times and the exact distance to the refueling site. Drivers should never run out of clean fuel before arriving at a refueling facility using this site.
To ensure that the site is constantly up-to-date, Clean Car Maps solicits feedback from drivers, site owners and fuel providers alike and makes changes to the status of AFV refueling locations in real-time. Users can report new and/or non-operational sites using a submission form and electronic bulletin board. Because the Web site employs a Web-enabled database, changes can be made quickly and easily.
Clean Car Maps also features a Daily Site Report that logs all inoperative refueling locations in an easy-to-use report, saving drivers needless hassle and wasted time. The site will spotlight new alternative fuel vehicle refueling sites as they become available, and offers an area for private businesses to post their new refueling site announcements.
The site has also been supported by the Federal Transit Administration and California Energy Commission.
The South Coast AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Visit the company on the Web at www.aqmd.gov.
CALSTART is an advanced transportation technologies consortium that focuses on developing new, clean technologies and solutions in transportation. Working with public and private partners worldwide, CALSTART provides technology development and demonstration, industry analysis, marketing, business development and fleet implementation services.
Its expertise includes electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), fuel-cell technologies and emerging mobility systems. Visit the company on the Web at www.calstart.org.