WSDOT’s Fleet Operations, also known as the Transportation Equipment Fund (TEF), is an industry leader in efficient and sustainable fleet management.
The Western Washington Clean Cities Coalition 2012 Alternative Fuels Sustainable Commitment Award acknowledges Fleet Operations’ efforts to reduce the use of petroleum-based fuels in the transportation sector and recognizes our achievements promoting electric vehicles, propane trucks, and biodiesel use.
Government Fleet magazine recognized Fleet Operations for the fourth consecutive year as one of the nation's top 40 most sustainable and efficient public fleets, presenting WSDOT with a 2012 Green Fleet Award. Fleet Operations also received national recognition as one of the 2011 and 2012 top 100 Best Public Sector Fleets in North America – evaluated on its excellence in government fleet management.
In addition to a variety highway maintenance vehicles and equipment, WSDOT's fleet includes fuel-efficient hybrid and electric passenger cars for conducting business and propane-powered work trucks vans, and SUVs for incident response and other field work.
Fleet Operations is responsible for purchasing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, fueling and disposing of more than 14,000 widely diversified vehicles and pieces of equipment. Fleet Operations conserves fuel and reduces fleet emissions by operating and maintaining fleet vehicles and equipment for efficiency. The agency saves more than 14,500 gallons of motor oil each year through effective preventive maintenance that is scheduled by fuel usage rather than time. Fleet Operations also installs gear-shift lights in heavy trucks that let drivers know when it’s the best time to shift gears for the most efficient fuel use and best vehicle performance.
For fiscal years 2009 to 2012 WSDOT:
- Reduced fleet emissions by 263 CO2e MT by implementing right-sizing, utilization, and anti-idling policies, purchasing hybrid vehicles and using alternative fuels
- Reduced annual fuel consumption by 103,427 gallons
- Increased annual biofuel gallons purchased by 244,913 gallons - making 92% of the state biodiesel purchases
- Purchased 50 percent more hybrid vehicles
- Reduced passenger-vehicle inventory by 121 vehicles
- Drafted sustainability plan to minimize emissions, cut fuel consumption and make the fleet even more efficient
WSDOT launched a pilot project in 2012, retrofitting 21 vehicles to run on cleaner-burning propane. Fuel costs are estimated to be reduced by 30 to 50% annually per vehicle. Each retrofitted vehicle is projected to displace 2 tons of GHG emissions each year.
The program provides full logistic support for its inventory through 35 equipment repair facilities and 130 fuel stations throughout the state. The fuel infrastructure also fully supports the Washington State Patrol. Vehicle repairs and fuel are provided to other governmental entities on request and on a fee basis.