The  Fleet Management Department in Santa Ana, CA recently announced plans to create and operate an environmentally responsible fleet, focusing primarily on alternative fuel and fuel efficiency. The City’s Green Fleet will be powered by 75 to 80 percent renewable and sustainable energy within the next five years. There are also plans to reduce the size of the fleet  10-15% over the next 1-2 years.

Santa Ana Fleet Management operates more than 900 vehicles, from fire trucks and police cruisers to riding lawn mowers. Over the past few years, Fleet Managers have added several natural-gas, hybrid and electric vehicles to its fleet, and brought in five hydrogen vehicles and fueling stations. Currently, five percent of the City’s 900 vehicles operate on alternative fuels.

Santa Ana’s fleet is managed by Rick Longobart,who earned a 2010 Environmental Leadership Award and was nominated for the 2011 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year award.

The City already uses particulate traps, and a GPS tracking system with route optimization to reduce emissions. If the City’s Green Fleet goals are achieved, a 75 percent alternative energy fleet can result in cost savings of about $1 million annually in addition to reducing harmful emissions.

Goals of the Green Fleet Management Plan include:

A proposal to allow employees to check out alt-fueled motor pool cars for commuting to increase utilization, generate loan fees, and decrease car allowance costs.
Discounts and a city-managed car loan program for residents for alt-fuel vehicles.
Waste management and recycling at the facility.
Transform facilities into a designated Green Model Shop.