Ford Delivers 15,000th Bi-Fuel Vehicle to U.S. Department of Energy
26 June 2000
Ford Delivers 15,000th Bi-Fuel Vehicle to U.S. Department of Energy
* 15,000th bi-fuel vehicle delivered to Department of Energy
* Executive Order 13149 requires federal fleets to reduce petroleum
consumption 20 percent by 2005
* High pump prices have more people looking at natural gas and propane as
alternatives
DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford Motor Company announced a major milestone in the sale
of alternative fuel vehicles today, as the 15,000th bi-fuel vehicle rolled off
the line. The vehicle is a bi-fuel natural gas F-150 pickup truck and will be
delivered to the Department of Energy.
Thomas J. Gross, U.S. Department of Energy deputy assistant secretary,
accepted delivery of the vehicle from Les Grey, assistant commissioner, U.S.
General Service Administration.
"The Department of Energy and GSA have shown exceptional leadership in
purchasing and using alternative fuel vehicles," said Lee Oliphant, Ford
Government Fleet Sales manager. "It is only appropriate that the delivery of
the 15,000th bi-fuel vehicle is to the U.S. General Services Administration
and the Department of Energy."
Since 1996 the GSA, which orders equipment and supplies for a wide range
of U.S. government agencies including the Department of Energy, has purchased
or leased more than 4000 bi-fuel natural gas or propane vehicles from Ford.
The bi-fuel propane (LPG) and natural gas trucks are built at Ford's
Ontario Truck Plant in Oakville, Ontario and then shipped to GFI Control Systems
, Inc. in Cambridge, ON for installation of alternative fuel tanks and fuel
systems.
The use of alternative fuel vehicles by federal agencies is expected to
grow significantly over the next five years. Under a new Executive Order
(E.O. 13149), federal agencies with a fleet of 20 or more vehicles must
develop a strategy to lower its annual petroleum consumption by at least 20
percent by 2005 compared to 1999 fuel consumption.
To achieve reduction in fuel consumption, federal agencies must use
alternative fuels in bi-fuel or flexible-fuel vehicles the majority of the
time, increase the average EPA fuel economy rating of their light-duty vehicle
fleet acquisitions by at least one mpg in 2002 and three mpg by 2005, and
improve overall fleet efficiency. As part of the Executive Order, federal
agencies must submit a compliance plan to the Department of Energy by November
2000.
Alternative fuel vehicles are receiving another boost this summer in the
form of higher gas prices at the pump. Consumer interest in alternative fuel
vehicles (AFVs) has risen as retail gasoline prices have climbed to record
highs. Alternative fuels usually cost less than gasoline, but that gap has
grown significantly in recent months as gasoline prices have soared.
"Large vehicle fleets are among the first to feel the impact of rising gas
prices. There is a lot of concern from fleet operators regarding the effect
increasing gasoline prices will have on their businesses," said Oliphant.
"Fleet managers who ordered AFVs this spring are finding that their decision
is paying off faster than expected because, while gasoline prices are rising,
the cost of alternative fuels is holding steady."
Since 1996, sales of dedicated and bi-fuel natural gas vehicles have grown
nearly 25 percent a year. In addition, dealers and retail consumers have
begun showing increasing interest in AFVs over the last few months.
"Alternative fuel vehicles are a cost-effective, environmentally
responsible mode of transportation, and Ford Motor Company is proud to provide
customers with more alternative fuel options than any other auto
manufacturer," said
Oliphant.
In North America, Ford offers 10 models of vehicles that operate on
natural gas, propane, electricity, or E85 (ethanol).
The partnership between Ford and GFI to build bi-fuel natural gas and
propane vehicles began in 1994 with the bi-fuel natural gas F-150. Over the
years, the partnership has expanded to include the bi-fuel natural gas Ford
Contour, the bi-fuel LPG F-150 pickup truck and the bi-fuel LPG Super Duty F-
Series.