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The CleanFleet project was a 24-month demonstration of five alternative motor fuels and control gasoline in 111 FedEx delivery vans. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-supplied vans from Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge were operated on compressed natural gas, propane gas, California Phase 2 reformulated gasoline (RFG), and methanol (M-85 containing 15 percent RFG). Electric vans on loan from Southern California Edison were also used by FedEx. Data were gathered on fleet operations, vehicle emissions, and facility and vehicle capital and operating costs. This paper focusses on implementation of 24 months of fleet operations. Vehicle activity is documented for each fuel. Practical issues resolved during the demonstration for use of each fuel by a commercial fleet operator are summarized. Topics include procuring vehicles, fueling vehicles, storing vehicles indoors, maintaining vehicles, and training drivers and mechanics.

The Orange County Transportation Authority's Cleaner Air through Reduced-Emission Systems (OCTA CARES) program is evaluating several options for reducing transit bus emissions. OCTA initiated the program in response to the 1991 Federal and California heavy-duty emission standards, and potential South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) requirements for transit fleets to utilize clean alternative fuels. Through the OCTA CARES program's Comparative Evaluation of Clean Fuels demonstration project, alternative fuels such as methanol, compressed natural gas (CNG), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are being demonstrated and evaluated in Gillig Phantom buses equipped with Cummins L10 engines. Data are being collected on all aspects of on-road bus operation and performance, including fuel economy, fuel prices, maintenance, and road calls.

The Technology Advancement program at the South Coast Air Quality Management District was established in 1989. A number of demonstrations of the use of alternative fuels in light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles have been initiated since that time. The results of completed demonstrations will be reported, along with the status of current projects and plans for future activities.

The 1991 Federal and state heavy-duty engine emission standards, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) potential requirements for fleet use of cleaner fuels, have motivated the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to evaluate clean fuels for use in transit vehicles. The objective of this project is to operate transit buses on various clean fuels to identify the best approach for OCTA's operations. Technologies tested to date are methanol with the ignition improver Avocet, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and diesel used in Gillig Phantom buses equipped with Cummins L10 engines. Six clean-fuel buses have been operating in service since August 1990. This paper includes an evaluation of bus operating data and exhaust emissions. Data are being collected on all aspects of bus operation, including fuel economy, fuel prices, maintenance, and road calls.

THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES operated a methanol-fueled dump truck for a period of 23 months. The vehicle was in asphalt paving service and was equipped with a Cummins L10 engine fueled with 95 percent methanol and 5 percent Avocet ignition improver. The City operated a control vehicle, equipped with a diesel-fueled Cummins L10, at the same location in similar service. The methanol-fueled truck was initially not equipped with a catalytic converter but one was added during the course of the demonstration. The methanol-fueled truck fueled at a City of Los Angeles fueling facility dedicated to this vehicle. During the demonstration period, fuel consumption, uptime, vehicle performance and steady state emissions were measured.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) have embarked upon a program to demonstrate the use of methanol in heavy-duty truck application in the state of California. This program is in response to the growing environmental concerns in the major metropolitan areas of California. Methanol engines from five engine manufacturers, Caterpillar, Cummins, DDC, Navistar and Ford will be evaluated in a cross section of applications in public and private fleets. The engines will be used in dump trucks, refuse trucks, beverage delivery, and tractor trailer rigs. The demonstration program will collect data on fuel economy, vehicle performance, vehicle emissions, engine durability and driver response. Several additional methanol fueling facilities will be built at the host sites.

American and European technology is being used to demonstrate the suitability of neat methanol as a fuel for transit buses. The project is sponsored by the California Energy Commission (CEC), and transit buses are being operated by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (GGTD). Project management and bus testing are performed by Acurex Corporation. Test data are being obtained on performance, fuel consumption, exhaust emissions, noise levels, and operational suitability. One of the coaches was obtained from General Motors Corporation and the other from M.A.N. in Germany. The GM coach employs a Detroit Diesel Allison 6V-92TA two-stroke-cycle engine, which burns methanol by compression ignition. The M.A.N. engine is a spark-assisted diesel, operating on a four-stroke cycle. Both buses are being tested in parallel with diesel-powered counterparts. In comparing diesel with methanol fuel, road performance is nearly identical for each pair of buses.