V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy

Issue 24 April 2003

http://www.gsa.gov/vehiclepolicy Vehicle

Views

In This Issue

NASA AFV Challenges . . . . . . . . . 1

UNICOR 

License Plate Facility Tour . . . . . . 2

The Management Review

Initiative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

IMEAC 2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

GSA Makes Lodging Simple. . . . . 6

CDL and the Federal Fleet . . . . . . . 7

Steering You to Automotive

Schedules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

DOE Conducts Urban EV

Demonstration Program . . . . . . . . 9

2004 Federal Vehicle Standards

Training Conference . . . . . . . . . . . 10

NEVC Awards E85 

Infrastructure Money . . . . . . . . . . 11

Clean Alternative Fuels: 

Fischer-Tropsch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Freedom Fuel: A Clean and 

Secure Energy Future . . . . . . . . . . 13

Clean Car Maps: Finding 

the Fuel of the Future . . . . . . . . . . 14

Retreaded Tires: 

The Taxpayer’s Friend . . . . . . . . . . 15

Los Angeles Takes Delivery 

of First Fuel Cell Car . . . . . . . . . . . 17

DOT Auto Safety Hotline . . . . . . 18

Safety Tips for Car Drivers . . . . . 19

National Aeronautics and Space

Administration (NASA)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Challenges

Over the years, we have all

become very well acquainted

with the requirements of Title

III of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct)

of 1992 and Executive Order (E.O.)

13149, Greening the Government

through Federal Fleet and

Transportation Efficiency. Title III of

EPAct requires Federal agencies to

procure not less than 75% alternative

fuel vehicles (AFVs) in EPAct

covered geographical areas. E.O.

13149, signed by the President on

April 21, 2000, requires Federal

agencies to reduce their vehicle

petroleum consumption by 20

percent, relative to their FY 1999

baseline, by using alternative fuels in

AFVs at least 50% of the time,

acquiring higher fuel economy

vehicles, and making other

improvements in fleet fuel efficiency.

NASA’s fleet is located at more than

forty individual sites across the

country, including NASA and

contractor facilities. Fleet sizes at

these locations range from several

hundred to less than a dozen.

Notwithstanding this mix of vehicles

across the Agency and geographical

issues that present different

challenges at each site, our new,

“One NASA” strategic vision

prompted us to take a more

centralized, Agency-wide approach

to managing our fleet rather than the

status quo of managing individual

fleets. “One NASA” reflects

Administrator Sean O’Keefe’s

approach to management, which

focuses on enhanced coordination,

collaboration and communication

among all Agency facilities to reach

common goals.

NASA, not unlike most other federal

agencies, has had a difficult time

meeting all of the goals set forth in

E.O. 13149 and EPAct. In recent

months, NASA has taken several key

actions that should significantly

enhance the overall management of

vehicles and greatly improve

compliance with E.O. 13149 and

EPAct. Some of these actions are

described below: 

• NASA is performing an analysis

to identify and define current fleet

management operations, and to

determine critical requirements,

reporting criteria, and

management tools needed to

improve processes across the

Agency. Other anticipated results

of this activity will be

recommendations for improved

vehicle utilization, potential areas

Continued on page 2
2

NASA from page 1

VehicleViews

for vehicle reductions, increased

use of alternative fuel vehicles,

and improved visibility of all

Agency operated vehicles. 

• E.O. 13149 requires that Federal

agencies ensure that all

government-owned and

government-operated vehicle

fleets comply with the goals and

objectives of the executive order.

It was not until April 2002 that

NASA became aware that

contractor-operated government

vehicle fleets are also required to

comply with EPAct and E.O. 13149.

NASA has recently added

language to their Federal

Acquisition Regulation

Supplement and modified

appropriate contracts to include

NASA fleet managers in the

decision as to the type and

quantity of vehicles a contractor

may be authorized to acquire.

Additionally, each contractor must

participate in an annual vehicle

review board to determine proper

utilization of vehicles and fleet

size. NASA is also seeking

approval from OMB, through the

paperwork reduction act, for

contractors to report vehicle data

directly into the Federal

Automotive Statistical Tool

(FAST). 

• NASA’s Associate Deputy

Administrator for Institutions and

Asset Management initiated a

Quarterly Institutional Review

Process in October 2002. During

these quarterly reviews, senior

executives from all NASA

Centers address issues such as

budget, personnel, facilities, and

other institutional concerns. This

has become an excellent forum to

direct senior managers' attention

on AFV infrastructure at the

Centers, review Center metrics on

acquisition of AFVs and reduction

of petroleum usage, as well as

other vehicle management issues.

This high-level review process

has brought the requirements of

E.O. 13149 and EPAct to the

forefront at NASA, and this

additional scrutiny will ensure

NASA meets or exceeds its goals. 

In addition to the above actions, we

urge all NASA fleet locations to

contribute towards meeting the goals

of E.O. 13149 and EPAct, even those

exempt from the requirements (by

fleet size or metropolitan statistical

area). For example, NASA

Headquarters (which has only a few

vehicles in its fleet) is in the process

of replacing the Administrator’s car

with an AFV fueled by compressed

natural gas. This, in itself

demonstrates the Agency’s

commitment to meeting the goals of

E.O. 13149 and EPAct. ■

UNICOR License Plate Facility Tour

Neither wind, nor rain, nor sleet or snow.... 

Think we’re talking about the US Postal Service?

Think again! On February 26, 2003, representatives

from GSA’s Federal Vehicle Policy Program,

NASA, and the Department of

Transportation traveled to Western

Maryland to tour the UNICOR prison

facility in Cumberland that produces

U.S. Government license plates. The

weather changed abruptly just days

before and threatened to cancel the

trip. Participants decided to proceed

anyway through the unpredictable weather, braving

snow showers and temperatures in the teens. However,

their efforts and determination paid off with an enlightening

tour of the facility, a demonstration of security procedures,

and viewing actual orders, from the Internet ordering

procedure through production and shipping. NASA, who at

that time had not yet established their license plate

requirements, managed to convey their desires for a plate

design and leave with full color samples of their perspective

plate. 

The Cumberland facility is a significant improvement

from the previous supplier of license plates

(District of Columbia’s Lorton Prison).

The changeover has greatly enhanced

record keeping procedures and

increased security while reducing order

lead-time and defective tags. The facility

also produces other items, such as

promotional items and agency seals.

Agencies desiring to participate in future

tours of the facility should contact Michael

Moses at (202) 501-2507, or email at mike.moses@gsa.gov. ■
VehicleViews

3

The Management Review Initiative

And the Winners are...the entire Federal Fleet

Management Community! The final report for the

Fleet Management Review Initiative is complete

and can be accessed on our website at

www.gsa.gov/vehiclepolicy or at

www.manageyourfleet.gov. The Fleet Management

Review Initiative was a unique opportunity for agencies to

review their fleet operations based upon criteria

developed by their peers- the membership of FEDFLEET.

The final report outlines FEDFLEET’s recommendations

for improving the management and use of the federal

motor vehicle fleet. It is a very ambitious plan and will

result in significant, positive changes in the manner we

currently operate our federal motor vehicle fleets. The

Office of Governmentwide Policy (OGP) along with

FEDFLEET will continue to work closely with the agencies

and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to

implement the recommendations for improving federal

fleet management. Thank you to all the agencies that

submitted review packages and to the team of fleet

professionals on our interagency review team that worked

to complete this initiative. If you have any questions,

please contact Connie Aaron at 202-208-7634 or

connie.aaron@gsa.gov. ■

Participating 

Agencies

Corps of Civil Engineers 

Department of Agriculture

Department of Commerce

Department of Education

Department of Energy

Department of Health and Human

Services

Department of Housing and Urban

Development

Department of Justice

Department of Labor

Department of Navy 

Department of State

Department of Treasury

Department of Veterans Affairs

Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission

General Services Administration 

National Aeronautics and Space

Administration

National Science Foundation

Office of Personnel Management

Peace Corps

Tennessee Valley Authority

United States Marine Corps

Interagency 

Review Team

Department of Agriculture

Department of Energy

Department of Health and Human

Services

Department of Interior

Department of Justice

Department of Labor

Department of Navy 

General Services Administration 

Immigration and Naturalization

Service

National Aeronautics and Space

Administration

Tennessee Valley Authority

United States Marshals Service

.
VehicleViews

6

GSA Makes Lodging Simple

There are few guarantees in life -- but GSA’s Federal Premier Lodging Program

(FPLP) guarantees rates and guarantees rooms where they are needed!

benefits at FPLP hotels:

• FPLP ensures that rooms are

available near where federal

travelers need to conduct

business. 

• FPLP properties are required to

have a full-service restaurant on

the premises or within one-third

mile of the hotel.

• FPLP hotels are on the fire safety

list maintained by the Federal

Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA). Always seek a hotel that

is on FEMA’s safety list.

• FPLP properties must be rated 2

stars or above by AAA or Mobil,

meet the requirements of the

Americans with Disabilities Act,

and meet the city’s building and

safety codes. 

• FPLP properties are near public

transportation.

We Need Your Help

Spread the word—share your good

FPLP experiences with other federal

travelers. Ask your travel

management center to book an FPLP

hotel whenever possible. For more

information about participating

FPLP hotels and the cities where

they are located, visit

www.gsa.gov/fplp. ■

There are already 378 hotels

participating in 41 cities across the

country.There will be over 1,200 hotels

in 70 cities by the end of 2003!

What is FPLP?

The federal government spends

nearly $1.7 billion a year with the

lodging industry, but, in almost all

cases, federal travelers have no

assurance that rooms will be

available at fair prices. Through

FPLP, GSA contracts with multiple

properties for rooms priced at or

below the established per diem rate.

Federal travelers told GSA their

number one concern is finding

available rooms at or below per diem

rates, especially in major

metropolitan areas. GSA listened.

Now the odds of finding guaranteed

rooms, at guaranteed rates just got a

lot better. 

GSA is making an aggressive effort

to improve travel management and

provide excellent customer service

through innovative travel policies.

FPLP gives travelers more time to

concentrate on their jobs and less

time on arranging travel by providing

convenient and safe rooms, and

guaranteed room availability. GSA

and the federal travel community, in

partnership with the private sector,

launched FPLP to provide federal

travelers with best value. 

Benefits of FPLP Hotels

Federal travelers enjoy these
VehicleViews

7

Commercial Driver Licenses and the Federal Fleet

(Commercial Driver’s License

Program; Waivers, final disposition;

Federal Register, Vol. 53, No. 186,

September 26, 1988, pp. 37313-37316)

Military personnel are not exempt from

the CDL requirement when not in

pursuit of military purposes, such as

when off duty or out of uniform.

The definition of a Commercial Motor

Vehicle is any motor vehicle (or

combination of vehicles):

• With a gross combination weight

rating of more than 26,000 pounds

inclusive of a towed vehicle

weighing more than 10,000 pounds;

• Having a gross vehicle weight

rating of more than 26,000 pounds;

• Designed to transport more than 15

passengers, including the driver; or

• Used to transport hazardous

materials.

A CDL is issued by the State in which

the operator resides in and becomes

his/her personal State driver’s license.

In addition to the normal State

licensing procedures, CMV operators

must also pass a CDL knowledge

written test and a CDL skills driving

test on the type of vehicle they intend

to operate. On February 15, 1994, the

Federal Highway Administration

(FHWA) published final alcohol

testing rules associated with the CDL

program. The FHWA rules (49 C.F.R.

Part 382) require employers to conduct

pre-employment, post-accident,

reasonable suspicion, and random

alcohol testing of covered drivers, and

also provide for return-to-duty and

follow-up testing for drivers who have

tested at a level of .04 or above and

whom their employers wish to return

to the performance of safety-sensitive

functions. “Employer” in the

preceding parts refers to the

operator’s employing agency. Each

agency must establish an alcoholtesting program. These programs are

usually coordinated between the

Agency Fleet Manager and the

agency’s Human Resources activity.

Expenses associated with obtaining a

CDL are personal in nature, and

therefore, must be incurred by the

employee, absent a specific statutory

authorization. The General

Accounting Office has traditionally

held that the responsibility rests upon

the employee for obtaining the

qualifications necessary to perform

his or her duties (3 Comp. Gen. 663

(1924)). Motor vehicle licensing fees,

for example, have thus been held

personal to the employee and not

payable out of appropriated funds

absent a specific authorization (6

Comp. Gen. 432 (1926); 46 Comp. Gen.

695 (1967)). Since the Act does not

specifically authorize payment of

licensing or testing fees, GAO

decisional law controls the payment of

such fees. If the agency determines

that use of motor vehicles owned or

leased by the Government for CDL

driving tests is for “official purposes”,

then the vehicle may be used by

Government personnel for the driving

portion of the examination

requirements. 

The preceding discussion is only

meant to provide an overview of CDL

issues and requirements. Please

consult the referenced laws and

regulations for specific guidance. 

For more information contact: 

Michael Moses, (202) 501-2507 ■

Over the past few months, the

Federal Vehicle Policy

Program has received a

significant number of questions

concerning Commercial Driver

Licenses (CDL) and associated

requirements for Federal motor vehicle

operators. MTV researched the issue

because of some apparent confusion

surrounding the CDL program and the

potential for significant fines

associated with noncompliance. The

following article summarizes what a

CDL is, who is required to have one,

and CDL testing procedures.

Commercial Driver Licenses are

mandated by the Commercial Motor

Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 and apply to

any person who operates a

Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV). All

Federal employees who operate CMVs

are specifically covered by the Act (49

U.S.C. sec. 2716(8), (9)). Also, the Act

is not limited to persons hired

primarily to drive CMVs, but

encompasses “any operator” however

“casual, intermittent or occasional”.

Thus, the fact that Federal employees

operate CMVs infrequently either for

road tests or between repair facilities

does not exempt them from coverage.

However, the Act applies only to

operation of a CMV upon a public

highway. The Act does not regulate

operation of CMVs restricted to the

confines of parking lots, military

compounds, or areas other than public

highways.

Military personnel are exempt from the

CDL licensing requirements while they

are in pursuit of military purposes, but

are required to have in their

possession an Option Form 346,

Military Vehicle Operator’s License.
VehicleViews

8

Steering You to 

Automotive Schedules

GSA has a lot to offer under its

automotive related Federal

Supply Schedules.

We offer a

variety of

vehicles and

vehicle

related

products to

aid customers

in their agency missions. We’ve done

the hard work of negotiating for you.

You just sit back and enjoy the benefits

of having more flexibility and control of

the procurement process. 

Choose from a wide selection of

vendors. You have the option of

placing an order directly with the GSA

vendor or if you prefer, GSA

Automotive can place the order for

you. Our schedules have a

continuous open season; so

new contracts can be

added at any

time.

We have a commercial

leasing schedule for lightduty vehicles that

allows customers to

fill their

leasing needs.

All vehicles

offered are current model year

and are equipped in accordance

with the applicable Federal

Vehicle Standards 122 and 307.

Leasing options range from 12 to 36

months. 

We offer the following automotive

Federal Supply Schedules:

Federal Supply Schedule 23 V –

Vehicular Multiple Award

Schedule (VMAS)

• Aerial Lift Vehicles 

• Construction Equipment and

Highway Maintenance Equipment

and Attachments

• Fire Trucks

• Medium/Heavy

Trucks

• Remanufactured

Engines,

Transmissions,

Differentials &

Rear Axle

Assemblies and

Electric Motors

• Spare Parts and Equipment

• Steel Storage Shelves for

Automotive Parts

• Trailers

• Vehicle Accessories

• Waste Disposal/Recycling Vehicles

Federal Supply Schedule 26 I –

New and Retread Tires

• Passenger (New)

• Light Truck (New)

• Medium Truck-Bus (New)

• Medium Truck – Bus (Retread)

Federal Supply Schedule 751 –

Commercial Leasing of Sedans

and Light Trucks

• Lease of Sedans, All Classes

• Lease of Sport Utility Vehicles

• Lease of Vans & Light Trucks

Visit GSA’s Schedules E-Library at:

www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov for a listing of

vendors under each of the Federal

Supply Schedules cited above. You

may also contact GSA Automotive on

(703) 308-CARS or online at:

fss.gsa.gov/vehicles/buying. ■
9

AFVsuccess stories

DOE Conducts Urban Electric Vehicle

Demonstration Program

The U.S. Department of Energy, through its Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity and in partnership with

Ford/TH!NK and the New York Power Authority, is conducting a demonstration program

of 340 Urban Electric Vehicles (EVs) in four states.

in urban applications that

include a military base’s

shared-use vehicle

system, as commuter

vehicles to and from

transit train stations and

as private vehicles.

The TH!NK city EV

Demonstration Program

(TH!NK Mobility is a Ford Motor

Company brand) will run for a total of

three years while the Advanced

Vehicle Testing Activity collects

vehicle-use information, including

miles driven, driver profiles,

operations and maintenance

requirements and energy use. The

first year’s activities are complete

and an annual report describing the

initial activities is available on the

Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity’s

web page at

http://avt.inel.gov/uev/ThinkcityDem

oReport.pdf

The report describes extensive

marketing efforts by TH!NK and the

New York Power Authority to support

the introduction of Urban EVs, and it

examines the initial economic

sustainability of Urban EVs. As the

Demonstration Program progresses,

petroleum savings and emissions

reductions will be analyzed and the

economics of operating Urban EVs

will be re-evaluated. 

DOE, through its

Advanced Vehicle

Testing Activity, conducts Baseline

Performance, Accelerated Reliability

and Fleet testing on advanced

technology vehicles. (The Advanced

Vehicle Testing Activity is a

component of DOE’s Office of

FreedomCAR and Vehicle

Technologies Program).

These elements of the Advanced

Vehicle Testing Activity are managed

for the DOE Office of Energy

Efficiency and Renewable Energy

from the Idaho National Engineering

and Environmental Laboratory in

Idaho Falls, Idaho. For more

information on this and other testing

activities, visit the Advanced Vehicle

Testing ActivityWeb page at

http://avt.inel.gov or contact Jim

Francfort (francfje@inel.gov, 208-526-

6787).

Visit our Web site at

http://www.inel.gov ■

The goals of the

demonstration program

include: 

• Enhancing public awareness of

Urban EVs

• Defining the unique Urban EV

market and niche applications

• Enhancing EV infrastructure

• Investigating the economic

sustainability of Urban EVs.

This is the largest Urban EV

demonstration program ever

conducted in the United States, and

the 340 Ford/TH!NK city EVs are

located in California (185), Georgia

(15), Michigan (40) and New York

(100). 

The TH!NK city EV is a two-seater

hatchback, with a top speed of about

55 mph and a per-charge range of

about 45 miles. They are being driven
VehicleViews

10

2004 Federal Vehicle Standards Training Conference

GSA Automotive’s 2004 Federal

Vehicle Standards Training

Conference will be held May

12-15, 2003 at the Holiday Inn located

in Rosslyn, VA. Mark your calendars

for this four-day event.

This year’s conference will include an

additional half-day training session

on Monday, May 12th, from 1:00pm -

4:00pm. This session will provide

workshops for those attendees who

are new to purchasing vehicles, as

well as to the Federal Vehicle

Standards process. We have also

added concurrent training workshops

on Wednesday afternoon covering:

• The Vehicle Ordering Process

• AutoChoice

• Engineering – How to Select the

Proper Vehicle for your Application

The conference will also include a

presentation on quality assurance

issues and manufacturer

presentations. The remainder of the

conference will cover a review of

technical data and proposed changes

to the Federal Vehicle Standards (122,

307, 794 and 807), as well as

discussing various customer and

vendor issues.

To register on-line visit our web site

at: fss.gsa.gov/vehicles/buying and

then click on 2004 Federal Vehicle

Standards Training Conference under

Events on the right side bar.

Questions may be directed to

Customer CARE on (703) 308-CARS.

■
11

NEVC Awards E85 Infrastructure Money to

California Department of Food and Agriculture and

InterState Oil Company

Provided by the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition

use in flexible-fuel-vehicles (FFVs)

that are capable of operating on E85.

Sacramento County alone has over

7,000 of these FFVs.

Currently, there are approximately 2

million FFVs operating on the

nation’s roadways that are capable of

burning E85. In California there are

nearly 150,000 FFVs, increasing at

nearly 4,000 vehicles per month. You

can find a complete listing of E85

compatible vehicles at

www.E85Fuel.com.

As part of the project, the CDFA and

InterState will also promote the use

of E85 to other fleets in the area and

to the general public. Since this will

be one of the first E85 facilities in the

state, it will be used for testing of the

E85 dispenser equipment to verify

that it meets California vapor

recovery standards.

“The eventual certification of the E85

equipment by the California Air

Resources Board (CARB) is very

significant in our efforts to introduce

E85 into the state of California,” said

NEVC Executive Director, Phil

Lampert. “By verifying that E85

equipment meets CARB standards

The National Ethanol Vehicle

Coalition (NEVC) announced

that it has issued a grant

award of $46,300 to the California

Department of Food and Agriculture

(CDFA) and InterState Oil Company

to develop an E85 fueling facility in

the Sacramento, California area. The

fueling facility, owned and operated

by InterState, will be used to fuel 113

CDFA fleet vehicles capable of using

this alternative fuel.

E85, by definition, is a transportation

fuel blend of 85% ethanol and 15%

gasoline. E85 is a domestically

produced alternative fuel that

reduces dependence on foreign

petroleum. In addition to superior

performance characteristics (100

octane), ethanol burns cleaner than

gasoline and is a completely

renewable, domestic fuel, typically

made from corn. In California,

ethanol is also made from food and

beverage waste. Currently scientists

are working on technology to

produce ethanol from agricultural

and forest residues and urban

wastes.

The fueling site will also be open to

any other fleets and to the public for

many units of government, private

fleets, and Department of Defense

facilities will be assisted in

completing the projects in the state.

Today’s grant award to the

Department of Food and Agriculture

is a major step to achieving CARB

certification of E85 dispensing

equipment.”

The CDFA was awarded $46,300 to

cover nearly half of the cost of the

project. The funds will be matched

by CDFA and InterState pending the

approval by internal and state control

agencies. Once approved, it is

anticipated that E85 will be available

next fall.

The NEVC will be making additional

announcements regarding other

grant recipients. These monies are

available as a result of the federal

fiscal year 2002 Congressional

Appropriation that was made to

advance the development of a

national E85 fueling infrastructure.

Contact persons – NEVC: Michelle

Saab, (573) 635-8445; CDFA:

Matthew Summers, (916) 651-7178;

InterState Oil: Brent Andrews, (530)

662-9148 ■

on the GREENfront

GSA recycles!
VehicleViews

12

Clean Alternative Fuels: Fischer-Tropsch

Provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

of Fischer- Tropsch fuels. At least

four major companies have

announced plans to build pilot plants

to produce synthetically derived

Fischer-Tropsch diesel fuels. Plants

are currently planned for Indonesia,

Africa, South America, and the

United States.

In addition, while many alternative

fuels require completely separate

distribution systems, FischerTropsch fuels can use the existing

fuel distribution infrastructure. This

means the fuels can be transported

in the same ships and pipelines as

crude oil. A limited investment will

be required, however, to maintain the

fuel’s purity during distribution.

According to the California Energy

Commission, Fischer-Tropsch fuels’

superior quality, cost, and ease of

distribution could lead to production

of 2 to 3 million barrels per day, or 2

to 3 percent of worldwide refinery

output, by 2005.

Affordability

According to the California Energy

Commission, Fischer-Tropsch fuels

can cost up to 10 percent more than

conventional diesel, depending on

market fluctuations.

Performance

Based on available research, there

are no significant differences in

Fischer-Tropsch fuels’ performance

versus petrodiesel fuels. In fact, the

higher cetane number of FischerTropsch diesel fuel might result in

improved combustion; the cetane

number is a primary measure of

diesel fuel quality. In addition, many

alternative fuels require major

changes in vehicle engines, but

Fischer-Tropsch fuels require no

engine modifications. FischerTropsch fuels, however, are slightly

less energy dense than petrodiesel,

which might result in lower fuel

economy and power. Further

investigations of fuel compatibility

issues need to take place, as well.

Safety

There are no reported safety issues

with Fischer-Tropsch fuels. They can

boost safety by using excess gas

from oil production, thereby avoiding

its disposal. Ingestion, absorption

through skin, or other exposure

effects are likely to be similar to that

of diesel fuel.

For More Information

EPA Alternative Fuels Web Site

www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/al

tfuels/altfuels.htm

California Energy Commission

Web site:

www.energy.ca.gov/afvs/synthetic_die

sel.html

Alternative Fuels Data Center

Web site: www.afdc.nrel.gov

National Alternative Fuels Hotline

Phone: 800 423-1DOE

Also visit: http://www.sasol.com/ ■

The majority of heavy-duty

vehicles on our nation’s

highways today are powered

by diesel fuel. This presents

enormous opportunities for cleanburning diesel substitutes such as

Fischer-Tropsch liquids. Although

they have been used to some degree

since the 1920s, Fischer-Tropsch

fuels are not widely used today—but

this could change.

From Africa to South America,

extensive research and development

efforts are under way to

commercialize the fuels for vehicle

use. More auto manufacturers are

viewing Fischer-Tropsch liquids as a

viable way to use alternative fuels in

diesel engines without compromising

fuel efficiency or impacting

infrastructure or refueling costs.

Fischer-Tropsch technology converts

coal, natural gas, and low-value

refinery products into a high-value,

clean-burning fuel. The resultant fuel

is colorless, odorless, and low in

toxicity. In addition, it is virtually

interchangeable with conventional

diesel fuels and can be blended with

diesel at any ratio with little to no

modification. Fischer-Tropsch fuels

offer important emissions benefits

compared with diesel, reducing

nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and

particulate matter.

Availability

Currently, several oil companies are

researching large-scale production
VehicleViews

13

“Tonight I am proposing $1.2 billion in research funding so that America can lead the world in developing clean, hydrogen-powered

automobiles.”“A simple chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen generates energy, which can be used to power a car

producing only water, not exhaust fumes. With a new national commitment, our scientists and engineers will overcome obstacles

to taking these cars from laboratory to showroom so that the first car driven by a child born today could be powered by hydrogen,

and pollution-free. Join me in this important innovation to make our air significantly cleaner, and our country much less dependent

on foreign sources of energy.”— President Bush, State of the Union Address, January 28, 2003

Freedom Fuel: A Clean and Secure Energy Future

needed to make it practical and costeffective for large numbers of

Americans to choose to use fuel cell

vehicles by 2020. These initiatives will

dramatically improve America’s energy

security by significantly reducing the

need for imported oil. At the same

time, these initiatives are key

components of the President’s clean

air and climate change strategies.

Background

Fuel Cells are a Proven Technology:

America’s astronauts have used fuel

cells to generate electricity since the

1960s, but more work is needed to

make them cost-effective for use in

cars, trucks, homes or businesses.

Using current technologies, it is too

expensive to produce, store, transport

and distribute hydrogen fuel, or to

build fuel cell engines. Additional

research and development is needed

to spur rapid commercialization of

these technologies so they can provide

clean, domestically produced energy

for transportation and other uses.

Freedom Fuel and FreedomCAR

Will Overcome Key Technical

and Cost Barriers:

• Lowering the cost of hydrogen:

Currently, hydrogen is four times as

expensive to produce as gasoline

(when produced from its most

affordable source, natural gas).

Freedom Fuel seeks to lower that

cost enough to make fuel cell cars

cost-competitive with conventional

gasoline-powered vehicles by 2010;

and to advance the methods of

producing hydrogen from renewable

resources, nuclear energy, and even

coal. 

• Creating effective hydrogen

storage: Current hydrogen storage

systems are inadequate for use in

the wide range of vehicles that

consumers demand. 

• Creating affordable hydrogen fuel

cells: Currently, fuel cells are ten

times more expensive than internal

combustion engines. The

FreedomCAR Initiative is working

to reduce the cost to affordable

levels. 

America’s Energy Security is

Threatened by Our Dependence

on Foreign Oil:

• America currently imports 55

percent of the oil it consumes; that

is expected to grow to 68 percent

by 2025. 

• Nearly all of our cars and trucks

currently run on gasoline, and they

are the main reason America

imports so much oil. Two-thirds of

the 20 million barrels of oil

Americans use each day is used for

transportation; fuel cell vehicles

offer the best hope of dramatically

reducing our dependence on foreign

oil. 

Action

President Bush announced a $1.2

billion Freedom Fuel Initiative to

reverse America’s growing

dependence on foreign oil by

developing the technology needed for

commercially viable hydrogenpowered fuel cells - a way to power

cars, trucks, homes and businesses

that produces no pollution and no

greenhouse gases. Freedom Fuel will

invest $720 million in new funding over

the next five years to develop the

technologies and infrastructure

needed to produce, store, and

distribute hydrogen for use in fuel cell

vehicles and electricity generation.

Combined with the FreedomCAR

(Cooperative Automotive Research)

Initiative, President Bush is proposing

a total of $1.7 billion over the next five

years to develop hydrogen-powered

fuel cells, hydrogen infrastructure and

advanced automotive technologies.

The Freedom Fuel Initiative will

complement the President’s

FreedomCAR Initiative, which is

developing technologies needed for

mass production of safe and

affordable hydrogen-powered fuel cell

vehicles.

Together, Freedom Fuel and

FreedomCAR will, through

partnerships with the private sector,

develop new vehicle and fuel

technologies and infrastructure Continued on page 16
VehicleViews

14

Clean Car Maps: 

Finding the Fuel of the Future

be searched and the regions and

counties where the chargers or

stations are located will be displayed.

At this point the user can select one

region or county, access a list of all

stations, or perform a specific search.

Detailed information for the

alternative fuel station will then be

displayed with a map and an option to

acquire driving directions.

From the outset, WestStart was

determined to make Clean Car Maps

alternative fuel “neutral,” so that

instead of focusing on any one

alternative fuel, we would provide

information on the variety of clean

fuels which are commonly available, as

well as new fuels as they are

introduced. The information is kept upto-date through the support of

partnerships with industry

organizations such as the California

Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition and

Clean Fuel Connection.

The preference for an on-line versus

printed format for this information is

that, as there are updates on nearly a

daily basis, these can be provided

more easily on-line, ensuring there will

be accurate information available to

the alternative fuel vehicle driver.

In addition, the users of Clean Car

Maps are provided with the ability to

conveniently communicate any new or

updated information on site status,

directly through the website.

Clean Car Maps presently provides

information for recharging and

refueling locations for the following

alternative fuels:

• Small paddle inductive electric

• Large paddle inductive electric

• Conductive electric

• Compressed natural gas

• Liquefied natural gas

• Liquefied Petroleum gas

• Methanol

• Hydrogen

WestStart’s Clean Car Maps also

provide information on alternative fuel

recharging and refueling sites,

including: 

• Address

• Type of electric vehicle charger

where applicable

• Hours of operation/access

• Site contact

• Operational status

• Maps, with zoom capabilities, and

• Driving directions

In February 2003, WestStart unveiled

an updated Clean Car Maps website

and database. The recent upgrades

include an improved user interface,

greater functionality, a faster

database, and improved map/locator

display. It also features improved

capability for submitting new station

listing information, as well as for

reporting problems with existing

stations. WestStart encourages its

users to take advantage of the new

interface and to submit information

regarding any of the stations. 

Presently our mapping is focused on

California – the state where the sales

of clean fuel vehicles are growing the

fastest. As we expand our

partnerships, we hope to add

WestStart, a non-profit

organization focused on

developing clean

transportation solutions, operates

Clean Car Maps

(www.cleancarmaps.com) an on-line

resource to locate and provide

information on alternative fuel

stations. 

The availability of an infrastructure for

recharging and refueling alternative

fuel vehicles is a necessary and

critical factor in encouraging the sale

and use of these vehicles, which

reduce harmful emissions and reduce

consumption of fossil fuels. This

infrastructure is still being developed,

and as alternative fuel stations are

established, or in some cases

removed, it is necessary for accurate

information on the state of the

infrastructure to be accessible if

people are going to be encouraged to

use alternative fuel vehicles.

Recognizing this need, WestStart

launched Clean Car Maps in 1999 in

order to make this information

available at a single location, and

thereby support a rapidly growing

alternative fueling infrastructure in

California. It is WestStart’s objective

to provide this information as a

resource to alternative fuel vehicle

drivers as well as to educate the public

on the existing publicly accessible

infrastructure.

When the homepage of Clean Car

Maps is accessed via computer, the

user is offered the option of selecting

an alternative fuel. The database will Continued on next page
VehicleViews

15

additional sites in other states. Clean

Car Maps remains the only site with

current information on a range of clean

fuels in California. WestStart is also

exploring the possibility of adding

more clean fuels, such as ethanol, to

Clean Car Maps.

The Information and opinions expressed in this article are strictly the author’s and do

not reflect any endorsement on behalf of the Federal Vehicle Policy Division or GSA.

Retreaded Tires: 

The Taxpayers’ Friend

of money saved over the course of a

year becomes very significant.

Every taxpayer (and aren’t we all!) has

a right to see his or her dollars spent

in the most efficient manner possible.

Retreaded tires can help make this

happen, which is why every public

sector fleet not already using retreads

should take another look at them and

learn more about how retreaded tires

can help save money without

sacrificing safety, performance or

handling.

Retreaded tires are safely used by

school and municipal buses,

emergency vehicles such as fire

engines, commercial and military

airlines, military tactical vehicles,

small package delivery services,

including the U.S. Postal Service,

trucking fleets and my many public

sector fleets.

The Tire Retread Information

Bureau/TRIB urges those public

sector fleets not yet using retreads to

take advantage of the many

educational opportunities offered,

including retread plant tours, Retread

and Tire Maintenance workshops,

Retread Tire Information Packets and

educational videos. All materials are

entirely non-commercial and there is

never a cost for TRIB materials. The

Retread and Tire Maintenance

workshops can be conducted on site

at any public sector fleet

headquarters or they can be

combined with a tour of a local

retread plant.

For more information about any of the

above, fleet managers are invited to

contact TRIB toll free at 888-473-8732

from anywhere in North America, or

by e-mail: info@retread.org.

The TRIB web site,

www.retread.org, also offers a

tremendous amount of valuable

information about tire maintenance

for both retreads and tires that have

never been retreaded.

For more information, contact: 

Harvey Brodsky, 831/372-1917 ■

Any city, state or federal fleet

not yet using retreads today

really needs to take another

look at their tire program and ask,

“why not?” Not only are retreaded

tires environmentally friendly (since

tires contain a large percentage of

synthetic rubber which is petroleum

based, every time a retread is used

less oil needs to be imported),

retreads are nearly always less

expensive than comparable new tires.

And when life cycle costing is

factored in, retreaded tires will

ALWAYS be less costly than new

tires.

Private fleets have known this for

years which is why practically every

major trucking fleet in the world uses

retreads. Retreaded tires enable

fleets to save money, and when you

consider that tires are a fleet’s third

largest expense - right behind the

driver’s salary and fuel - the amount

The Clean Car Maps web site has

been supported with funding from the

South Coast Air Quality Management

District, the Federal Transit

Administration, the California Air

Resources Board and the California

Energy Commission. In the next few

months, WestStart-CALSTART will

be seeking additional funding partners

to support Clean Car Maps, as well as

expanding access to its information on

clean fuel infrastructure.

For information on sponsorship

opportunities, visit

www.cleancarmaps.com and select the

‘‘contact’’ link, or contact Leeor Alpern

(626/744-5601 or lalpern@calstart.org)

at WestStart, to request further

information. ■

CLEAN MAPS from page 14
VehicleViews

16

• Freedom Fuel Will Help Ensure

America’s Energy Independence:

• Through Freedom Fuel and

FreedomCAR, the federal

government, automakers and

energy companies will work

together to overcome the

technological and financial barriers

to the successful development of

commercially viable, emissions-free

fuel cell vehicles that require no

foreign oil. 

• Hydrogen is domestically available

in abundant quantities as a

component of natural gas, coal,

biomass, and even water. 

• The Department of Energy

estimates that the Freedom Fuel

and FreedomCAR Initiatives may

reduce our demand for foreign

petroleum by over 11 million barrels

per day by 2040. America currently

imports between 10 and 11 million

barrels of oil daily. 

Fuel Cells Will Improve Air

Quality and Dramatically

Reduce Greenhouse Gas

Emissions:

• Vehicles are a significant source of

air pollution in America’s cities and

urban corridors. Hydrogen fuel cells

create electricity to power cars

without producing any pollution.

• The Freedom Fuel and

FreedomCAR Initiatives may

reduce America’s greenhouse gas

emissions from transportation

alone by more than 500 million

metric tons of carbon equivalent

each year by 2040. Additional

emissions reductions could be

achieved by using fuel cells in other

applications, such as generating

electricity for residential or

commercial uses. 

Hydrogen is the Key to a Clean

Energy Future:

• It has the highest energy content

per unit of weight of any known fuel. 

• When burned in an engine,

hydrogen produces effectively zero

emissions; when powering a fuel

cell, its only waste is pure water. 

• Hydrogen can be produced from

abundant domestic resources

including natural gas, coal,

biomass, and even water. 

• Combined with other technologies

such as carbon capture and

storage, renewable energy and

fusion energy, fuel cells could make

an emissions-free energy future

possible. 

Freedom Fuel Complements

President Bush’s FreedomCAR

Initiative:

• In 2002, President Bush launched

FreedomCAR, a partnership with

automakers to advance hightechnology research needed to

produce practical, affordable

hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that

American consumers will want to

buy and drive. 

• Freedom Fuel will develop

technologies for hydrogen

production and distribution

infrastructure needed to power fuel

cell vehicles and stationary fuel cell

power sources. 

President Bush’s Budget

Provides Strong Support for

Freedom Fuel and

FreedomCAR:

• President Bush proposes $1.7

billion in funding for Freedom Fuel

and FreedomCAR over the next five

years, including $720 million in new

funding for Freedom Fuel. 

• The President’s FY 2004 budget

request for hydrogen and fuel cell

research and development and

advanced automotive technologies

through the Freedom Fuel and

FreedomCAR programs is $273

million. 

For more information on the

President’s initiatives, please visit

www.whitehouse.gov. ■

FREEDOM FUEL from page 13

Future Transport?

The Revolution, a lightweight car

powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, is as

much as eight times as efficient as most

standard models, according to its

designers.

Photograph by Norm Clasen/Hypercar Inc. 2001
VehicleViews

17

City of Los Angeles Takes

Delivery of First Fuel Cell Car

Honda FCX only fuel cell car certified for commercial use

Mayor Hahn said. “Los Angeles City

employees will use these fuel cell

vehicles on a day-to-day basis, just

like any other pool vehicle.” 

“Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles

hold great promise for future clean

air vehicles and it is important that

LA play a leading role in assisting in

the development and early use of this

technology. Working with Honda

Motor company, which has a long

history of

firsts in developing environmentally

sound vehicles, adds to the great

prospect for continued air quality

improvements for the citizens of Los

Angeles.”

Honda plans to lease about 30 fuel

cell cars in California and Japan

during the next two to three years.

The company currently has no plans,

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2, 2002 – The

City of Los Angeles took delivery of

the nation’s first certified fuel cell

car, the Honda FCX. The Honda FCX

being leased by the City will be used

in normal, everyday use and was

delivered in a ceremony today at City

Hall including Mayor Jim Hahn and

Hiroyuki Yoshino, President and Chief

Executive Officer of Honda Motor

Co., Ltd.

The hydrogen-powered Honda FCX is

the only fuel cell vehicle certified by

the California Air Resources Board

(CARB) and U.S. EPA for every day

commercial use. Under the twoyear lease agreement, the

City of LA will pay

$500 a month to

lease the first of

five Honda FCX

models with the

other four vehicles

being delivered in

2003. In addition,

Honda has

contracted with Air

Products and Chemicals,

Inc., based in Allentown, PA with

local operations in El Segundo, to

provide the hydrogen fuel and

refueling infrastructure.

“This is a very exciting day for the

City of Los Angeles as it takes a

major, national leadership role in

putting hydrogen-powered fuel cell

vehicles into practical, everyday use,”

however, for mass-market sales of

fuel cell vehicles or sales to

individuals. 

“The future of the fuel cell vehicle

shows great promise in reducing the

global dependence on oil, and our

association with the great City of Los

Angeles is an important step in the

pursuit of this goal,” said Yoshino.

Both CARB and the EPA have

certified the Honda FCX as a Zero

Emission Vehicle (ZEV). The FCX

uses hydrogen supplied to a fuel cell

“stack” to generate electricity that

powers its electric motor.

With an output of up to 80

horsepower and 201 foot-pounds of

torque, acceleration is similar to a

Honda Civic. Water

vapor is the only

exhaust. The FCX

has an EPA

certified range

of 170 miles

and seating

for four

people,

making it

practical for

a wide range

of real-world

applications.

Honda

undertook fuel cell research in 1989

and has been road testing vehicles in

the United States since 1999. Honda

has also been a member of the

California Fuel Cell Partnership

based in Sacramento, Calif., since

1999.

Contact person – Art Garner (310)

783-3163 ■
18

I

f you own a vehicle that you feel

has a safety-related defect you

should report the problem to the

Hotline at the National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration

(NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of

Transportation (DOT). The DOT

Auto Safety Hotline specializes in

gathering information about safety

problems in motor vehicles and

equipment such as tires and child

safety seats and is your chance to

help identify these problems, which

sometimes lead to recalls. The

Hotline can be dialed tool free at 

1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

In operation since 1975, the DOT

Auto Safety Hotline is the Agency’s

single point of contact, where you

can obtain information about motor

vehicle safety, child safety seats,

vehicle safety defects, vehicle

importation and certification, air

bags, and highway safety. You may

also speak with a consultant who will

file a report on your vehicle’s safety

defect and provide you with recall

and other valuable information. All

DOT Auto Safety Hotline

Provided by the Office of Defects Investigation, 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 

of these services are available by

mail or fax from the Hotline and

through the internet at

www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hotline where you

can file your safety defect report

online. Your report can help NHTSA

evaluate the problem you are

experiencing with your vehicle and

determine if a recall and remedy by

the manufacturer will be required.

NHTSA encourages associations,

schools, companies, clubs,

government agencies, and other

organizations to help increase

awareness of the Hotline by starting

their own Hotline awareness

programs. You can order posters,

flyers, and other complimentary

literature for your program by going

to the home page,

www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hotline, and

clicking on Outreach Program. You

can also contact Gene Luke at (202)-

366-0988, fax (202) 366-7882, or e-mail

gluke@NHTSA.DOT.gov to order

literature, which will be delivered to

your organization at no charge. ■

the SAFETYzone

Buckle Up

America

Week

May 

19-26, 2003
VehicleViews

19

Safety Tips 

for Car Drivers

Provided by The Federal Motor

Carriers Safety Administration

When driving on the highway you are at a serious

disadvantage if involved in a crash with a larger vehicle. In

crashes involving large trucks, the occupants of a car,

usually the driver, sustain 78 percent of fatalities. In order

to keep you and your family safe when driving around large

trucks and buses, you should be extra cautious. Sharing the

road with larger vehicles can be dangerous if you are not

aware of their limitations. Here are a few tips to help you

drive safer to prevent an accident and minimize injuries and

fatalities if one does occur.

CUTTING IN FRONT CAN CUT YOUR LIFE SHORT

If you cut in front of another vehicle, you may create an

emergency-braking situation for the vehicles around you,

especially in heavy traffic. Trucks and buses take much

longer to stop in comparison to cars. If you force a larger

vehicle to stop quickly this could cause a serious, even fatal

accident. When passing, look for the front of the truck in

your rear-view mirror before pulling in front and avoid

braking situations!

BUCKLE YOUR BELTS

Always buckle your seat belt. Seat belts are your best

protection in case of a crash, especially if you get into an

accident with a large vehicle such as a truck. Trucks require

a greater stopping distance and can seriously hurt you if

your car is struck from behind. However, your seat belt will

keep you from striking the steering wheel or windshield,

being thrown around, and from being ejected from the car.

Wearing a seat belt is the single most important thing you

can do to save your life, especially in a crash with a large

truck.

WATCH YOUR BLIND SPOTS - THE “NO-ZONES”

Large trucks have blind spots, or No-Zones, around the

front, back and sides of the truck. Watch out! A truck could

even turn into you, because these No-Zones make it

difficult for the driver to see. So, don’t hang out in the NoZones, and remember, if you can’t see the truck driver in the

truck’s mirror, the truck driver can’t see you.

INATTENTIVE DRIVERS

Inattentive drivers do not pay attention to driving or what is

going on around them. They can be just as dangerous as

aggressive drivers when they drive slowly in the passing

lane, ignore trucks brake lights or signals, and create an

emergency-braking situation. They also create dangerous

situations when they attempt to do other things while

driving, such as using cell phones. When you are driving,

please focus only on the road. If you need to attend to

another matter while driving, safely pull over in a parking lot

or rest stop.

AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS

Aggressive drivers can be dangerous drivers. They put

themselves and others at risk with their unsafe driving.

Speeding, running red lights and stop signs, pulling in front

of trucks too quickly when passing, and making frequent

lane changes, especially in the blind spots of trucks, can

create dangerous and potentially fatal situations on the

road. These situations can lead to road rage not only for the

aggressive driver, but also for others sharing the road.

AVOID SQUEEZE PLAY

Be careful of trucks making wide right turns. If you try to get

in between the truck and the curb, you’ll be caught in a

“squeeze” and can suffer a serious accident. Truck drivers

sometimes need to swing wide to the left in order to safely

negotiate a right turn especially in urban areas. They can’t

see cars directly behind or beside them. Cutting in between

the truck and the curb increases the possibility of a crash.

So pay attention to truck signals, and give them lots of

room to maneuver.

NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE

Drinking and driving don’t mix. Alcohol affects a person’s

ability to make crucial driving decisions, such as braking,

steering, or changing lanes. Remember, you are not the only

one in danger when you decide to drink and then drive. You

are sharing the road with everyone including large vehicles

and your chances of getting into an accident are greatly

increased. If you get into an accident with a truck, you’re out

of luck. The odds of surviving a serious accident with a large

truck are too low. However, if you do live through it without

serious injury, think of your higher insurance rates, your

large legal fees, and other social and professional setbacks

it will cause you. So think before you drink. ■
20

U.S. General Services Administration

GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy

Federal Vehicle Policy Division (MTV)

Washington, DC 20405

______________________________________

Official Business

Penalty For Private Use $300

First Class Mail

Postage and Fees Paid

GSA

Permit No. G-30

Bill Rivers

Director

(202) 208-7631

Connie Aaron

(202) 208-7634

John (Q) Adams

Team Leader

(202) 501-0758

Ed Lawler

(202) 501-3354

Jacquie Perry 

(202) 501-3347

Stewart Randall

(202) 501-4469

Nate Reed

(510) 637-4640

Mike Moses

Team Leader 

(202) 501-2507

Laurie Feld

(202) 208-4721

Jim Vogelsinger 

(202) 501-1764

Please address your

questions or comments

concerning Vehicle Views

to the editor: 

Jacquie C. Perry 

(202) 501-3347

or by e-mail to

Jacquie.Perry@gsa.gov

Graphic Designer:

Tom Pearlman

GSA Communications

Federal Vehicle Policy Division (MTV)

The Federal Vehicle Policy Division’s mission is to ensure the effective and efficient use of the Federal

Government’s 590,000 motor vehicles and the expenditure of close to $2 billion annually on fleet operations

through innovative policies, adoption of best practices, effective communication, and leading edge

technologies.

http://www.gsa.gov

VehicleViews

20