As outlined in Executive Order (EO) 14057, Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs
Through Federal Sustainability, the NIH shall transition to a zero-emission fleet and meet the following requirements outlined in EO 14057.
- The NIH light-duty vehicle acquisitions shall be zero-emission vehicles by FY2027.
- All of the NIH vehicle acquisitions shall be zero-emission by FY2035.
- Deploy zero-emission vehicle infrastructure.
- Maximize the acquisition and deployment of zero-emission light-, medium-, and heavy duty vehicles where the Genergal Services Administration (GSA) offers zero-emission vehicle options.
To meet these targets, in accordance with EO 14057 the NIH shall develop and annually update a zero-emission fleet strategy that shall include optimizing fleet size and composition.
To demonstrate progress in fleet management and sustainability, NIH publishes an annual Sustainability Plan (SP) and reports progress to their parent government agency, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS adheres to the requirements of EO 14057 and publishes an annual Sustainability Plan to demonstrate overall agency progress.
Figure 1. Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (MiEV)
Fleet Management at NIH
The NIH Transportation Management Branch manages the NIH fleet and has successfully implemented numerous strategies in recent years, i.e. optimize/right-size the composition of the fleet, reduce miles traveled, acquire only highly fuel-efficient, low greenhouse gas-emitting vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles, and increase utilization of alternative fuel in dual-fuel vehicles.
To optimize/right-size the composition of the fleet and reduce miles traveled, we used our GPS utilization report to monitor and analyze, fleet size, underused vehicles, and miles traveled. Since 2005, all NIH vehicle acquisitions have been alternative fuel vehicles. In order to increase utilization of alternative fuel in dual-fuel vehicles, it is NIH policy that alternative fuel must be used in dual-fuel vehicles. NIH fleet managers will continue using these effective policy and implementation strategies, detailed below.
- Collect and utilize NIH fleet operational data through deployment of vehicle telematics.
- Ensure that NIH annual asset-level fleet data is properly and accurately accounted for in a formal Fleet Management Information System as well as submitted to the Federal Automotive Statistical Tool reporting database, the Federal Motor Vehicle Registration System, and the Fleet Sustainability Dashboard (FLEETDASH) system.
- Increase acquisitions of zero emission and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
- Issue NIH policy and a plan to install appropriate charging or refueling infrastructure for zero emission or plug-in hybrid vehicles and opportunities for ancillary services to support vehicle-to-grid technology.
- Optimize and right-size fleet composition, by reducing vehicle size, eliminating underutilized vehicles, and acquiring and locating vehicles to match local fuel infrastructure.
- Increase utilization of alternative fuel in dual-fuel vehicles.
- Use a FMIS to track real-time fuel consumption throughout the year for NIH-owned, GSA-leased, and commercially-leased vehicles.
- Implement vehicle idle mitigation technologies.
- Minimize use of law enforcement exemptions by implementing GSA Bulletin FMR B-33, Motor Vehicle Management, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Guidance for Law Enforcement and Emergency Vehicle Fleets.
- Where State vehicle or fleet technology or fueling infrastructure policies are in place, meet minimum requirements.
- Establish policy/plan to reduce miles traveled, e.g. through vehicle sharing, improving routing with telematics, eliminating trips, improving scheduling, and using shuttles, etc.
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