Posted on 12/15/2013 7:26:01 AM PST by thackney
The nation’s oil capital has become a model for progress in electrically powered vehicles, boasting the nation’s third-largest municipal hybrid fleet, according to new report from advocacy group Electrification Coalition.
More than half of the vehicles in the city’s light-duty fleet are hybrids, according to the report. Among the city’s alternative-fuel vehicles are 27 Nissan LEAF battery electric vehicles and 15 Toyota Prius plug-in electric hybrids.
The report applauds the city for reorganizing its fleet management to better support electric vehicles, including promoting their use in an employee car-sharing program and creating a network of charging stations.
The report estimates that the hybrid and electric vehicles will save the city an average of $7,000 in fuel and maintenance costs each over there years.
“By reorganizing its operations into a centrally managed vehicle pool, the city has improved operational efficiency, increased vehicle utilization rates, and built a strong financial case for vehicle electrification,” the report said.”Houston is leading the way forward in municipal fleet electrification through creative problem solving and a focus on cost savings.”
More than 550 employees have signed up for the the car-share program, which launched in July 2012, according to the city.
Employees can reserve a battery electric vehicle for trips of less than 70 miles. Gasoline-powered pool vehicles are provided for longer trips. The city houses 98 charging stations in its central fleet garage.
Unlike plug-in hybrids, which have fuel tanks and can run on internal combustion engines, the driving range for battery electric vehicles is limited by the charge in its battery pack.
“The city has installed ample charging infrastructure for its fleet of battery electric vehicles, but it still faces challenges in ensuring that the vehicles are fully charged when reserved,” the report noted.
The city estimates that its 27 Nissan LEAF battery electric vehicles will save $110,000 annually compared to a fleet powered by crude-based fuels.
The city began growing its alternative-fuel fleet in 2002. It plans to add 10 compressed natural gas cars and six more hybrid electric vehicles to its fleet next year, according to the report.
ah....tout electric vehicles, then mix ‘em in with hybrids (not an alternate fuel vehicle)...then.. INSTANT HEADLINE
More than half of the vehicles in the city’s light-duty fleet are hybrids,
Houston Tx.... What in the world is a light duty fleet? For a city the
size of Houston it is small when 42 electrics comprise more that 50%.
Adminstrative type vehicles. Not trucks or people that do physical work.
I assume cop cars aren’t included in this total.
For the typical short hop trips, electrics are probably well suited to this. I wonder if municipalities can claim the $7500 tax credit?
electric car = coal burner
not in California, and < 37% nationwide.
Caliph Baraq is wiping out coal
Why is Houston snubbing Detroit, and buying only Japanese name=plates for it’s “alternate” fleet?
The full electric cars can go 70 miles, then need a charge. Houston is a huge city and one can rack up 70 miles really fast, then you are out of juice and stuck wherever you are.
Yes, the credit is to subsidize the manufacture and is applied to all sales.
I assume (and yes this is a BIG assumption but everybody on FR tells me that Texans are special) that management assigns the vehicles based on the usage.
In the case of the electric-only niche, Detroit doesn’t make one.
Diesel powered cars with 30 - 50 mpg, no range problems, lower purchase price, fuel most places and no special (expensive) charging stations would be the lowest cost answer. But no.............. we must push an agenda with public taxpayer’s funds!
“I assume (and yes this is a BIG assumption but everybody on FR tells me that Texans are special)”
Wellll, this mayor, female Parker, is an open lesbian, so her liberal ways may have come to play in getting the electric cars whether they are the best choice or not.
Houston is another liberal stronghold. The elected officials don’t even know Detroit exists. It’s Toyota or Honda or Nissan or nothing at all.
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