Final Report Rochester Vehicle Fleet Alternative Fuels Systems Study

the hybrid power train, and installation of the electronic control components.
This approach provides the benefit of taking an old, dirty diesel and creating a
“recycled” clean fuel vehicle. Similarly, a new unit can be upfitted at the
factory, whether for a work truck or a refuse/recycling type vehicle, and
hybridized.
Discussion of Specific Fuels
Strategy 1-
Biodiesel
The AFV Study has explored the use of biodiesel in two municipal fleet applications.
The first fleet example was examined as part of the Peer Review with the City of
Lakewood, Colorado. This fleet has been using B20 since 2003 and has rated its
program as very successful.
In addition, a second fleet case was presented to the PAC through the biodiesel site
visit component of the study. This involved a visit from a fleet manager from the City
of Keene NH who has been using B20 for approximately six years. The biodiesel
experience for this fleet was also very successful. In both cases, the fleet
administrators were very committed to their respective fuel programs and gave the
performance of biodiesel, and B20 in particular, high marks.
These two fleet examples are both instructive for the City of Rochester fleet in the
event a decision is made to pursue a biodiesel strategy for the following reasons:
• Weather Conditions- The winter temperatures in Keene NH and in
Lakewood CO are similar enough to those found in Rochester to
indicate comparability of conditions. This would include variations in
temperature and in the potential for comparable low temperatures.
• Volume of fuel usage- Due to the fueling agreements in Lakewood, the
total volume of fuel used is quite comparable to the Rochester fleet
(Lakewood dispenses 350,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually (all types
of diesel) and the City uses between approximately 450,000 gallons per
year
• Range of Diesel Vehicle Types- Both of the fleets in the study had a
wide range of medium and heavy -duty vehicles that were fueled with
biodiesel. There was generally a great deal of comparability with the
diesel vehicles in the Rochester fleet. This includes dump trucks, pay
loaders, tractors, panel trucks and a variety of other types. The one
notable exception was the refuse collection vehicles that the Rochester
fleet contains. The other jurisdictions did not have these in the fleet.
Environmental Benefits
In the presentation for Keene NH, there was a significant reduction in the
concentration of the smaller, and more harmful amount of PM 2.5 particulate matter.
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Final Report