Project awards were granted between Fall 2004 and Spring 2005 to ten projects totaling $98,000. The NC AFV Incentive program was able to award the funds to a diverse group of projects that include biomass, electric vehicles and charging stations, and compressed natural gas. The sites ranged from Universities and Community Colleges to government fleets and public service stations. For the complete summary of all ten project awards, please visit the Alternative Fuel Incentive Project Summary.
These various projects around the state increased the use of alternative transportation fuels that are produced domestically and create fewer toxic pollutant emissions than petroleum-based fuels. Recent projects include the installation of an on-site biodiesel fueling system at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville and the replacement of petroleum fuel-powered vehicles with Global Electric Motorcars (GEMs) in the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Wilson Technical Community College vehicle fleets. For more projects and further information look in the Clean Transportation Success Stories.
Increasing the use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel (B20-B100), electricity, ethanol (E85), natural gas and propane will help efforts to diversify fuel supplies, support sustainable energy initiatives and provide for cleaner air. Presently the U.S. transportation sector (on-road cars and trucks) is 97% reliant on petroleum gasoline and diesel fuel, with much of this fuel imported from other countries. Increasing the use of alternative fuels supports U.S. energy security and economic development while reducing harmful emissions.
Expanded use of alternative fuels is hampered by the increased costs associated with their use. Biofuels such as biodiesel and E85 are typically more expensive than petroleum diesel and gasoline but do not have additional costs associated with the vehicles in which they operate. Propane, electricity and natural gas, on the other hand, often cost less than gasoline and diesel but the vehicles in which these fuels operate cost more to purchase. Furthermore, acquiring equipment to accommodate vehicle refueling can present a significant barrier to fleet managers and fuel providers that are considering a switch to, or addition of, an alternative fuel option to their operations.
More information about alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and alternative fuels is available at http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/afdc/. Specific information about availability and distribution of alternative fuels and AFV dealers in North Carolina can be obtained by contacting Anne Tazewell at anne_tazewell@ncsu.edu.
