Guidebook to the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuel Transportation Program for State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleets

The country's increasing dependence on imported oil and the relative instability of the oil-producing countries prompted Congress to pass the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992. The Act called on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to expand research and development in the transportation sector, and to create programs for accelerating the introduction of alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs) toreplace conventional models fueled by gasoline. DOE's Alternative Fuel Transportation Program, as codified in 10 CFR Part 490, implements the provisions in Sections 501, 507(o), 508, 511, 512, and 513 of EPAct. These sections 1) Call for DOE to promulgate rulemakings requiring State government fleets and alternative fuel providers to acquire AFVs in certain gradually increasing percentages; 2)Set forth a credit program to reward those who purchase or lease AFVs either earlier than required, or in greater numbers than required; 3) Establish reporting procedures; 4) Implement exemption provisions; and 5) Set forth enforcement procedures and provisions. State government fleet managers and alternative fuel providers must determine if they are covered by these provisions, and take certainsteps to be in compliance if they are covered. This booklet has been produced by DOE as a reader-friendly guide to the primary requirements of the Alternative Fuel Transportation Program for States and fuel providers. DOE has addressed the topics that fleet managers ask about most frequently.