A fuel efficient vehicle purchasing strategy prioritizes the buying or leasing of fuel efficient vehicles, equipment, and components during new asset acquisitions and replacements. It helps you select vehicles that are able to meet the needs of the task at hand and takes technical and financial feasibility into consideration. [1]
Optimal fuel performance with minimal GHG emissions is the primary goal. Life cycle costing [1] is used to evaluate options based on capital costs, operating and maintenance costs, reliability, warranties, depreciation, and resale value alongside commitments to fuel efficiency. An output of the strategy should be a detailed vehicle purchasing policy.
This policy is the most important output of a fuel efficient vehicle purchasing strategy. It is the essential tool that provides vehicle and equipment purchasing standards and procedures to ensure the best possible vehicle is purchased. They inform purchasing practices by providing guidance or regulation on what should and should not be used by the fleet. [1]
The City of San Jose [2] in California has developed what may be the most comprehensive and effective green fleet vehicle purchasing policies in North America. The Dawson Creek green vehicle policy [3] provides another good example. Both will be important tools in ensuring the fleets are effectively replaced over time.
A fuel efficient vehicle purchasing strategy helps fleet managers:
[1] E3 Fleet. (2006) Fraser Basin Council. www.e3fleet.com [10]
Links
[1] http://toolkit.bc.ca/tool/life-cycle-costing
[2] http://www.sanjoseca.gov/documentcenter/view/8446
[3] http://www.planningforpeople.ca/is/sustainability_planning/energy/fuel/documents/Green%20Vehicle%20Policy%20-%20May%202006.pdf
[4] http://www.e3fleet.com/cgi/page.cgi?aid=173&_id=145&zine=show
[5] http://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/sustainable-saanich/climate-change-energy/climate-action-adaptation-plans.html
[6] https://www.nanaimo.ca/culture-environment/environment-and-sustainability/vehicle-fleet
[7] http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/green-fleets.aspx
[8] http://www.bchydro.com/news/press_centre/news_releases/2010/electric_vehicle_rolls_into_terrace.html
[9] https://www.surrey.ca/city-services/12250.aspx
[10] http://www.e3fleet.com