National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Fleet Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program Fleet Report for FY 2017

February 15, 2018

This National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Fleet Alternative Fuel Vehicle 

(AFV) Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 presents the Agency’s data on the number of AFVs 

acquired in FY 2017 and its planned acquisitions for FY 2018, the projected acquisitions for FY 

2019 and the forecasted acquisitions for FY 2020. This report has been developed in accordance

with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) (42 U.S.C. 13211-13219) as amended by the Energy 

Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-388) (ECRA), and Energy Policy 

Act of 2005 (EPAct). 

Legislative Requirements

EPAct requires that 75 percent of all covered light-duty vehicles acquired for Federal fleets in 

FY 2016 and beyond must be AFVs (where the fleets have 20 or more vehicles, are capable of 

being centrally fueled, and are operated in a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) with a 

population of more than 250,000 based on the 1980 census). Certain emergency, law 

enforcement, and national defense vehicles are exempt from this requirement. 

In 2016, Executive Order (EO) 13693: Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade, 

established a per-mile Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions performance metric for federal fleets. Section 

3(g)(ii) of E.O. 13693 requires federal agencies to reduce fleet-wide per-mile GHG emissions, relative to 

agency baselines for FY 2014, by:

• Not less than 4 percent by the end of FY 2017

• Not less than 15 percent by the end of FY 2021

• Not less than 30 percent by the end of FY 2025.

NASA’s Approach to Compliance with EPAct, FAST Act and E.O 13693

To achieve compliance with the legislative mandates of EPAct, FAST Act and E.O. 13693; 

NASA has developed a compliance strategy including the acquisition up to the maximum

percent of new, covered light-duty vehicles as AFVs, and strongly supports the use of alternative 

fuel in these vehicles, where alternative fuel options are available. NASA will continue to 

acquire light-duty vehicles with higher fuel efficiency, and further reduce GHG emissions by 

using alternative fuel where available. NASA recognizes that AFV fueling infrastructure is 

extremely limited in most areas of the country. As such, NASA has developed AFV fueling 
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infrastructure at those NASA Centers where it is not readily commercially available and justified 

by usage volumes, while mindful of the cost to the American people. 

NASA Fleet Compliance for FY 2017

NASA acquired 238 light-duty vehicles (LDVs) during FY 2017, of which 163 were considered 

EPAct covered acquisitions and 146 were AFVs. For the LDV acquisitions NASA received 150

EPAct credits. NASA also gained an additional 5 credits for the use of biodiesel fuel and the 

acquisition of dedicated light, medium, and heavy-duty AFVs. In total NASA attained 155

credits, thereby exceeding EPAct requirements by 20 percentage points.

Summary of NASA’s FY 2017 AFV Acquisitions

A number of vehicles that were leased and purchased by NASA were considered not “covered” 

vehicles. Of the total of 238 light-duty vehicles acquired in FY 2017 the following were exempt 

from compliance:

• 47 were exempt due to geographic assignment; vehicles are housed outside of a MSA.

• 22 were exempt as Law Enforcement vehicles.

• 6 were exempt as Non-covered vehicles.

NASA’s Fleet AFV Acquisitions for FY 2018, FY 2019 and FY 2020

Below is the detailed information on planned, projected and forecasted vehicle acquisitions for 

NASA in FY 2016, 2017 and 2018.

2017 AFV Report: Planned Data (FY2018)

1. Planned Light-Duty Vehicle Acquisitions and Exemptions

Acquisitions

Leased Purchased Total

Total Light-Duty Vehicle Acquisitions 140 0 140
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Exemption: Fleet Size 0 0 0

Exemption: Foreign 0 0 0

Exemption: Geographic 0 0 0

Exemption: LE Vehicle 0 0 0

Exemption: Non-covered Vehicle 0 0 0

Exemption: Non-MSA Operation 0 0 0

Total EPAct-Covered Vehicles 140 0 140

2. Planned Alternative Fuel Vehicle Acquisition Detail

Vehicle Type Fuel LE

Acquisitions

EPAct

Lease Purchase Total Credits

Light Duty Vehicles

Sedan/St Wgn Subcompact E85 FF No 50 0 50 50

LD Minivan 4x4 (Passenger) E85 FF No 40 0 40 40

LD Pickup 4x4 E85 FF No 35 0 35 35

LD SUV 4x4 E85 FF No 15 0 15 15

Medium Duty Vehicles

MD Pickup E85 FF No 45 0 45 45

Totals: 185 0 185 185

3. Planned EPAct Acquisition Credits Summary
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Base AFV Acquisition Credits: 185

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Credits: 0

Dedicated Light Duty AFV Credits: 0

Dedicated Medium Duty AFV Credits: 0

Dedicated Heavy Duty AFV Credits: 0

Biodiesel and Renewable diesel Fuel Usage Credits:4 0

Total EPAct Credits: 185

Overall EPAct Compliance Percentage: 132 %

2017 AFV Report: Projected Data (FY2019)

1. Projected Light-Duty Vehicle Acquisitions and Exemptions

Acquisitions

Leased PurchasedTotal

Total Light-Duty Vehicle Acquisitions 254 0 254

Fleet Exemptions: Fleet Size 0 0 0

Fleet Exemptions: Foreign 0 0 0

Fleet Exemptions: Geographic 0 0 0

Fleet Exemptions: Non-MSA Operation 0 0 0

Vehicle Exemptions: LE Vehicle 24 0 24

Vehicle Exemptions: Non-covered Vehicle 0 0 0

Vehicle Exemptions: Non-MSA Operation 146 0 146

Total EPAct-Covered Vehicles 84 0 84
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2. Projected Alternative Fuel Vehicle Acquisition Detail

Vehicle Type Fuel LE

Acquisitions EPAct

Credits Lease Purchase Total

Light Duty Vehicles

Sedan/St Wgn Compact E85 FF No 25 0 25 25

Sedan/St Wgn Compact GAS HY3 No 14 0 14 14

Sedan/St Wgn Compact GAS HY3 Yes 2 0 2 0

Sedan/St Wgn Midsize E85 FF Yes 12 0 12 0

Sedan/St Wgn Subcompact CNG DE No 2 0 2 2

Sedan/St Wgn Subcompact E85 FF No 29 0 29 29

LD Minivan 4x2 (Passenger) E85 FF No 18 0 18 18

LD Minivan 4x2 (Passenger) E85 FF Yes 1 0 1 0

LD Pickup 4x2 E85 FF No 56 0 56 56

LD SUV 4x2 E85 FF No 3 0 3 3

LD SUV 4x2 E85 FF Yes 3 0 3 0

LD SUV 4x2 GAS HY3 No 5 0 5 5

LD Van 4x2 (Cargo) E85 FF No 7 0 7 7

LD Van 4x2 (Passenger) E85 FF No 18 0 18 18

LD Pickup 4x4 E85 FF No 11 0 11 11

LD SUV 4x4 E85 FF No 14 0 14 14

LD SUV 4x4 E85 FF Yes 4 0 4 0

LD Van 4x4 (Cargo) E85 FF No 1 0 1 1

Medium Duty Vehicles
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MD Other E85 FF No 8 0 8 8

MD Pickup E85 FF No 13 0 13 13

MD Van (Cargo) CNG DE No 1 0 1 1

MD Van (Cargo) E85 FF No 24 0 24 24

MD Van (Passenger) E85 FF No 5 0 5 5

Totals: 276 0 276 254

3. Projected EPAct Acquisition Credits Summary

Base AFV Acquisition Credits: 254

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Credits: 0

Dedicated Light Duty AFV Credits: 0

Dedicated Medium Duty AFV Credits: 0

Dedicated Heavy Duty AFV Credits: 0

Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Fuel Usage Credits:4 2

Total EPAct Credits: 256

Overall EPAct Compliance Percentage: 305 %

2017 AFV Report: Forecast Data (FY2020)

1. Forecast Light-Duty Vehicle Acquisitions and Exemptions

Acquisitions

Leased PurchasedTotal

Total Light-Duty Vehicle Acquisitions 173 0 173

Fleet Exemptions: Fleet Size 0 0 0

Fleet Exemptions: Foreign 0 0 0
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Fleet Exemptions: Geographic 0 0 0

Fleet Exemptions: Non-MSA Operation 0 0 0

Vehicle Exemptions: LE Vehicle 11 0 11

Vehicle Exemptions: Non-covered Vehicle 0 0 0

Vehicle Exemptions: Non-MSA Operation 131 0 131

Total EPAct-Covered Vehicles 31 0 31

2. Forecast Alternative Fuel Vehicle Acquisition Detail

Vehicle Type Fuel LE

Acquisitions EPAct

Credits Lease Purchase Total

Light Duty Vehicles

Sedan/St Wgn Compact E85 FF No 3 0 3 3

Sedan/St Wgn Compact E85 FF Yes 2 0 2 0

Sedan/St Wgn Compact GAS HY3 No 3 0 3 3

Sedan/St Wgn Compact GAS HY3 Yes 3 0 3 0

Sedan/St Wgn Midsize E85 FF No 1 0 1 1

Sedan/St Wgn Midsize E85 FF Yes 4 0 4 0

Sedan/St Wgn Subcompact E85 FF No 61 0 61 61

LD Minivan 4x2 (Cargo) E85 FF No 3 0 3 3

LD Minivan 4x2 (Passenger) E85 FF No 42 0 42 42

LD Pickup 4x2 E85 FF No 7 0 7 7

LD Pickup 4x2 GAS HY3 No 1 0 1 1

LD SUV 4x2 E85 FF No 1 0 1 1

LD Van 4x2 (Cargo) E85 FF No 1 0 1 1
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LD Van 4x2 (Passenger) E85 FF No 4 0 4 4

LD SUV 4x4 E85 FF No 1 0 1 1

LD SUV 4x4 E85 FF Yes 1 0 1 0

LD SUV 4x4 GAS HY3 No 3 0 3 3

Medium Duty Vehicles

MD Other E85 FF No 14 0 14 14

MD Pickup E85 FF No 4 0 4 4

MD Van (Cargo) E85 FF No 21 0 21 21

MD Van (Passenger) E85 FF No 6 0 6 6

Totals: 186 0 186 176

3. Forecast EPAct Acquisition Credits Summary

Base AFV Acquisition Credits: 176

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Credits: 0

Dedicated Light Duty AFV Credits: 0

Dedicated Medium Duty AFV Credits: 0

Dedicated Heavy Duty AFV Credits: 0

Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Fuel Usage Credits:4 2

Total EPAct Credits: 178

Overall EPAct Compliance Percentage: 574 %

Notes:

1. Rows identified with LE “yes” show EPAct credits granted for acquisition of law enforcement (LE) and emergency/emergency 

response (E/ER) vehicles. DOE has determined that credits will not be granted for acquisition of these vehicles beginning with 

FY2010 and in all years after FY2010. FAST users are advised to carefully review the role any such credits are playing in overall 

compliance with EPAct's acquisition requirements for their organization(s).

2. For years prior to 2009, EPAct acquisition credits were not granted for acquisition of vehicles with hybrid fuel configurations (e.g., 

gas-electric hybrid configurations). Beginning with 2009 and continuing forward for all subsequent years, vehicles with these fuel 
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configurations are considered alternative fueled vehicles and corresponding credits are granted and shown, if appropriate, in the above 

tables.

3. EPAct allows credits toward compliance to be granted for consumption of biodiesel fuel; one (1) credit toward compliance is granted 

for each 450 gallons of biodiesel consumed, with a maximum of 50% of an organization's credits toward compliance coming from 

biodiesel consumption.

Greenhouse Emission (GHG) Per Fleet-wide Mile Reduction Goal 

Since it is difficult, to project GHG emission reductions in out years, only actual data is provided 

for FY 2016. E.O. 13693 established NASA’s GHG emission per mile reduction baseline in FY 

2014 and established the NASA goals & milestones for out years through FY 2025. 

Actual FY 2017 emission compared to fuel type consumption.
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The majority of vehicles acquired by NASA and other federal fleets are leased from GSA. These 

leases include maintenance and fuel costs for the vehicles. Annual usage for the Agency is

determined through the use of GSA credit card purchase history for alternative fuel. However, 

since product code standards are not uniform among suppliers of alternative fuels (e.g. ethanol or 

E-85), it is difficult for credit card vendors to determine the specific fuel purchased. The 

exception may be natural gas, which is usually purchased at local utility refueling sites, which 

allows fleets to contact the utility for an accurate accounting of purchased fuel. Alternative fuel 

consumption data is approximated from proportioning GSA data and internal record keeping 

efforts. 

Summary

As detailed in this report, NASA exceeded the AFV acquisition requirements of EPAct in FY 

2017 and projects to repeat this accomplishment in FYs 2018, 2019 and 2020. In addition, 

NASA’s fleet was able to meet the target set for GHG/mile reduction in FY 2017.