On June 22, 1992, five alternative-fueled Federal Express vans were dispatched during a public ceremony in Los Angeles.

The ceremony kicked-off the CleanFleet Project, a $10.7 million, two-year field evaluation of alternative vehicles fuels in fleet use. The project involves 111 Federal Express vans serving as test and control vehicles that are fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG), electricity, methanol, propane, and reformulated gasoline.

Data acquired through the test program will help answer some of the following questions:

• What are the performance characteristics of each of these alternative fuels as compared to unleaded gasoline in daily commercial fleet operations?

• What are the maintenance requirements for vehicles and fueling facilities utilizing alternative fuels?

• What costs are associated with converting to and using alternative fuels?

• How much are pollutant emissions reduced by the use of alternative fuels compared to standard gasoline?

Funded and operated by a coalition of 18 public and private agencies and organizations, including the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Energy Commission, the test project will evaluate alternative fuels under rigorous professional standards, different road and weather conditions, and varying traffic patterns. The CleanFleet Project is expected to supply information to guide public policy for future adoption of alternative fuels.