NAFA Coaxes Department of Energy to Do Away with Hybrid Compliance

For over three years, fleet managers who handle particular state government as well as utility fleets (covered fleets) have not been able to utilize hybrid vehicles in order to meet environmental mandates that have been put forth by the Department of Energy with regards to vehicle acquisition. Presently, mandates necessitate that 75 percent of a covered state fleet's yearly light-duty acquisitions be alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). These AFVs should necessarily comprise 90 percent of vehicle acquisitions made for utility based companies.

Section 133 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 instructs the Secretary of Energy to allot compliance credits. These should not be any later than January 31, 2009 for the acquiring of a hybrid electric vehicle, a plug-in electric drive vehicle as well as a fuel cell electric vehicle. Also included is a neighborhood electric vehicle or medium- or heavy-duty electric vehicles. But right up to now, there is no final proposal or regulation that has been put forth.

In a release, Phillip E. Russo, CAE, NAFA's Executive Director, said, "We understand that the agency's position is that the rulemaking 'is in progress.’ Unfortunately, this is what covered fleets have been told for more than three years. During this time, covered fleets have had to incur increased compliance costs and associated burdens in order to meet their acquisition requirements. DOE's delay also is not in the spirit of the Administration's goal of having one million plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles on the road by 2015."Fleet managers are being forced to plan their strategies for compliance when it comes to acquisition of vehicles. However, they are not really able to do so because of the lack of clarity from the Department of Energy. What the NAFA seeks to do is encourage the DOE to act soon on this rulemaking. This is to prevent any more delays.

NAFA Fleet Management Association still has experienced legislative representatives based in Washington, DC as well as Ottawa. They will help in the coordination of important information related to laws, regulations, as well as other governmental issues related to fleets. As one of the largest fleet management associations based in North America, NAFA serves the position of being the collective voice of the industry.