Electricity can be used to power all-electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). These vehicles can draw electricity directly from the grid and other off-board electrical power sources and store it in batteries. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) use electricity to boost fuel efficiency. Using electricity to power vehicles can have significant energy security and emissions benefits. To find out more about powering cars with electricity, visit the US Department of Energy’s electricity website or you can download a PDF fact sheet to print out.

You can download a list of available EVs, PHEVs, and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) with data including make, model, year, range, MPGe, MSRP, federal tax credit, and the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) incentive amounts.

Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from corn and other plant materials. The use of ethanol is widespread—almost all gasoline in the U.S. contains some ethanol. Ethanol is available as E85—a high-level ethanol blend containing 51%-83% ethanol depending on season and geography—for use in flexible fuel vehicles. E15 is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as a blend of 10%-15% ethanol with gasoline. It is an approved ethanol blend for model year vehicles 2001 and newer. To find out more about ethanol, visit the US Department of Energy’s ethanol website or you can download a PDF fact sheet to print out.

Hydrogen, when used in a fuel cell, is an emissions-free alternative fuel that can be produced from diverse domestic energy sources. Research and commercial efforts are under way to build the hydrogen fueling infrastructure and produce hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that are practical for widespread use. To find out more about hydrogen, visit the US Department of Energy’s hydrogen website.

You can download a list of available EVs, PHEVs, and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) with data including make, model, year, range, MPGe, MSRP, federal tax credit, and the Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) incentive amounts.

Natural gas is a domestically produced gaseous fuel, readily available through the utility infrastructure. This clean-burning alternative fuel can be used in vehicles as either compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), renewable natural gas (RNG), or biogas. To find out more about natural gas, visit the US Department of Energy’s natural gas website or you can download a PDF fact sheet to print out.

Propane, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or propane autogas, has been used worldwide as a vehicle fuel for decades. It is stored as a liquid, and propane fueling infrastructure is widespread. To find out more about propane autogas, visit the US Department of Energy’s propane website or you can download a PDF fact sheet to print out.

Public fleets are seeing huge benefits from the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs). By eliminating fuel consumption, EVs reduce costs to fleets, promote energy independence and help protect the environment. Although EVs are increasingly becoming a successful application for fleets, higher incremental costs, procurement processes, and insufficient charging infrastructure remain as critical barriers to adoption.

EV Smart Fleets seeks to address these barriers by aggregating state and local fleet purchases for EVs and charging stations through a multi-state aggregated EV solicitation and procurement agreement. EV Smart Fleets will leverage the purchasing volume of public fleets across the country in order to reduce vehicle and infrastructure costs, improve contract terms, provide access to a wider range of EV models, and expand access to charging infrastructure. This multi-state procurement will be issued and managed by the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) through its ValuePoint Program.

The Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition, Inc. (GNHCCC), together with over 30 partner organizations will develop and implement a state-wide, fuel-neutral effort that will deploy 269 alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) through incremental funding and provide fueling capability for 21 additional fleet vehicles and infrastructure necessary to directly support the vehicle deployments as part of the Connecticut Clean Cities Future Fuels Project. The project will increase the utilization of alternative fuels; strengthen the availability of alternative fuels for fleets and commercial consumers along major corridors in the state; raise awareness and foster greater understanding of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies through a targeted outreach and education effort; create and retain jobs; reduce dependence on foreign oil; reduce harmful emissions; and contribute to a sustainable alternative fuels market.

Funded in FY2008, the BioWatz Project allowed the GNHCCC to work with Chris Glynos at BioPur, Inc., located in Bethlehem, CT, to build on the biodiesel production facility operated by Glynos. The project engaged an integrated team to design, develop and deploy a Power Generation System at the BioPur facility which would enable the production of electricity with biodiesel. The project proved to be very successful, allowing Glynos to sell his renewable power to the local power company — after he uses some of it to provide power for the biodiesel production facility. The project collected data through a system designed and installed by Sabre Engineering of Colorado and Innovation Drive, the project management firm provided support to the growth of this operation. The federal project officially ended in late 2010.

The City of New Haven in conjunction with the GNHCCC deployed an electric trolley system in downtown New Haven during the early 2000’s. E-Bus of Downey, California built four 22 foot dedicated electric trolley replicas that had the capability of both standard battery charging and fast charging. The batteries were charged with “Green Electric Power” derived from waterpower, wind and solar. The project provided a clean alternative fuel for public transportation. Everywhere the electric trolleys were put into service, mass transportation ridership increased dramatically because people appreciated the electric power train’s smooth, quiet, non-polluting ride. By going with the electric trolley technology, a reduction in dangerous soot particles associated with standard diesel powered buses was realized, as well as reducing the number of fuel trucks carrying foreign fuel to the vehicle refueling locations.

Contribute to Greater New Haven Clean Cities Coalition to continue our efforts to achieve a more energy independent and cleaner air future. Your tax-deductible contribution ensures our ability to decrease petroleum consumption. We thank you for your continued support. To donate, please email Lee Grannis at grannis@nhcleancities.org.

NAFA’s Sustainable Fleet Accreditation Program is the distinctive accreditation program that provides the tools that help automotive fleets measure and track improvements in their environmental impact. Watch NAFA’s Sustainable Fleet Accreditation Program video

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Electric Car Week from bruce lomasky on Vimeo.