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The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), under its Alternative Fuels for Vehicles Fleet Demonstration Program (AFV-FDP), established a demonstration of light-duty dedicated propane vehicles operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). The fleet of five converted trucks began operation in 1993 with the cooperation of the New York Propane Gas Association, which provided the propane systems, and Texaco Research & Development which funded annual emissions testing. The vehicles accumulated 122,000 kilometers (76,000 miles) of operation on propane during the demonstration. Data were collected on fuel consumption, driveability, acceleration, maintenance, and emissions. This paper reports on the transition to propane fuel operations, the findings of the emissions tests, and the service and support experiences during the demonstration.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), under its Alternative Fuels for Vehicles Fleet Demonstration Program (AFV-FDP), established a number of light-duty CNG vehicle fleet demonstrations throughout New York State to collect data from CNG vehicle operation. The majority of the vehicles were converted from gasoline operation to bifuel1 operation, though dedicated CNG vehicles (new and converted) were also included. Pickups, vans, station wagons, and sport utility vehicles were all represented. The vehicles were tracked for mileage accumulation and service experience, and emissions were measured using the Federal Test Procedure. The types of CNG fuel system technologies represented were mechanical open-loop (MOL), mechanical closed-loop (MCL), electronic single-point injection closed-loop (ESPCL), and electronic multipoint injection closed-loop (EMPCL).

Since the early 1980s, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) supported projects to evaluate the benefits of AFVs. These efforts focused on relieving some of the uncertainties surrounding the use of alternative fuels in motor vehicles. In 1989, NYSERDA, under the guidance of the State's Alternative Fuel Vehicle Coordinating Council, greatly expanded the State's exploration of alternative fuels by initiating the Alternative Fuels for Vehicles Fleet Demonstration Program (AFV-FDP). The objective of the AFV-FDP was to place large numbers of AFVs in service in state, municipal and private fleets to provide “real-world” answers to the questions about their benefits. The AFV-FDP was implemented recognizing two possible conflicting needs (1) to act quickly to meet increasingly stringent emission standards, and (2) to resolve uncertainties concerning the air quality benefits achievable using alternative fuels.