DOE Provides Incremental Funding for 175 Electric Vehicles

January 26, 2000

The U.S. Department of Energy has provided over $800,000 in incremental funding to 25 federal fleets to support the deployment of 175 light-duty electric vehicles.

A total of $821,000 in incremental funding has been provided for the leasing of 80 Chrysler EPIC minivans and 95 Ford Ranger pickups. The vehicles are being used by federal fleets in 10 states and the District of Columbia.

Executive Order 13031 – Federal Alternative Fueled Vehicle Leadership, directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a program that provides partial funding assistance for any Federal agency purchasing or leasing electric vehicles. Up to $10,000 or one-half the incremental cost over a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle, whichever is less, is proved as funding assistance for each Federal electric vehicle purchase or lease. A copy of the Executive Order and additional Federal Fleet Incremental Funding information can be obtained from http://ev.inel.gov/sop/

To help minimize the United States dependence on foreign oil and reduce the air emissions from transportation sources, the DOE's Field Operations Program is actively supporting the deployment of electric and other advanced technology vehicles.

DOE, through its electric vehicle Field Operations Program, which is managed from the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory in Idaho Falls, Idaho, will provide incremental funding support to any Federal Fleet that leases a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards certified light-duty electric vehicle. The incremental cost is the difference between the General Services Administration's cost to lease a vehicle powered by a gasoline engine and the additional cost to lease an electric version of the same vehicle.

In addition to providing incremental funding, the Field Operations Program is actively supporting the deployment of electric vehicles by evaluating electric and other advanced technology vehicles in real-world applications and environments.

For more information, visit the Field Operations Program's web page http://ev.inel.gov/sop or contact Jim Francfort at  (208) 526-6787, or Alison Conner at  (208) 526-7799.

The DOE researches, develops and deploys clean, efficient and renewable energy technologies to help meet America's energy needs while protecting the environment and strengthening the economy. Energy technologies supported and promoted by the department will play a key role in providing clean energy for the 21st century.

Federal Fleets benefiting from the incremental funding:

Federal Fleet, Number,  Model

Architect of the Capital,  1,  Ranger

Department of Agriculture – Miami, 14, Ranger

DOE – Bonneville Power Administration,1,  Ranger

DOE – Forrestal Building, 2,   Ranger

DOE – Fermi Laboratory, 3,  Ranger

DOE – Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, 20,  Ranger                    2  EPIC

DOE – National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2,  Ranger

DOE – Sandia National Laboratory, 10,  Ranger

DOE – Western Power Administration, 1,  Ranger

*DOI – Gettysburg National Park,  1,  Ranger

*DOI – Grand Canyon, 3,  Ranger

*DOI – Patuxent Wildlife Refuge,    1,  Ranger

*DOI – Rock Creek National Park, 4, Ranger

Department of Transportation – DC, 1,  Ranger

Environmental Protection Agency – DC, 1,  Ranger

General Services Administration – DC,  3,  Ranger

General Services Administration – Fort Worth,  1,  Ranger

Marines – Camp Pendelton,  3,  Ranger

Marines – San Diego, 1,  Ranger
1  EPIC 

Navy – San Diego, 1,  Ranger
11  EPIC

Presidio Trust, 15,  Ranger

Smithsonian Institute, 1,  Ranger

Tennessee Valley Authority, 5,  Ranger

US Postal Service – Long Beach, 16,  EPIC

US Postal Service – San Diego, 50,  EPIC

*DOI – Department of Interior

Media contact: Isabel Valle-Carpenter

(208) 526-9906