Northern Colorado Clean Cities (NCCC) coalition serves it’s stakeholders in it’s designated Northern Colorado region.

Serving the counties of Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Larimer, Logan, Moffat, Morgan, Phillips, Rio Blanco, Routt, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, Yuma, and The City of Boulder.

• Alternative and renewable fuels

• Idle-reduction measure

• Fuel economy and environmental improvements

New transportation technologies, as they emerge

As part of the DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Program, Clean Cities advances the nation’s economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local actions to reduce the use of imported petroleum in transportation. Clean Cities provides tools and resources for voluntary, community centered programs to reduce consumption of petroleum-based fuels.

Northern Colorado Clean Cities offers regional support
to utilize tools, resources, and funding opportunities.

 

Alternative Fuels
Data Center

Consumer
Resources

Fleet and
Business
Resources

Department
Of
Energy
(DOE) Tools

Online Studies
& Documents

AFDC – Alternative Fuels Data Center

Natural Gas
Electricity
Hydrogen
Propane
Ethanol
Biodiesel

Natural gas, mostly consisting of methane, is widely used in energy production but not as often for powering vehicles. While some natural gas is considered a fossil fuel as it comes from sources thousands of years old, renewable natural gas (RNG) can come from organic materials from landfills, livestock and more, and is seen as much more sustainable than conventional natural gas.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas (LNG) are available for commercial use, are domestically produced, and are relatively cheap. Though, liquified natural gas has high production costs, so it is less frequently utilized. A CNG-powered vehicle gets about the same fuel economy as a conventional gasoline vehicle on a GGE basis.

Electricity is used to power plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) directly from the grid. Hybrid vehicles still use liquid fuels, like gasoline, but have smaller batteries than full electric vehicles that use energy from braking to charge them, which in turn helps vehicle mileage.

There are many fully electric models of cars available now, with ranges anywhere from 80 miles to 370 miles. There are also a couple of different charging systems, each of which has a different voltage that affects charging time. You can charge at home, on the road, or at some businesses and communal areas as the infrastructure is rapidly expanding.

There are many funding opportunities and incentives associated with electric vehicles, maintenance costs are often minimal, and fuel costs are dramatically reduced. Electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions, though there may be emissions associated with the energy production from the grid.

A lesser known alternative fuel, Hydrogen, has a diverse range of sources. There are a limited number of hydrogen powered light duty vehicles and vehicles for fleets. Hydrogen is very abundant in our natural environment, but the obstacles surface when trying to extract it from its source whether it’s from water or other organic materials. Hydrogen can power fuel cells with zero emissions, has high efficiency, can be filled quickly, and can be produced domestically.

For reference, the energy in 2.2 pounds of hydrogen gas is about the same as the energy in 6.2 pounds of gasoline. Though the production of hydrogen entails emissions, these can be reduced through renewable energy options such as solar, wind, and more.

Propane (C3H8) has been used for decades and is stored under pressure in a tank as a an odorless and colorless liquid. As the pressure is released, the liquid propane is vaporized and it turns into gas that is then used in combustion.

    • It has a high octane rating and if spilled, does not pose any great threats.
    • It is mostly used to power amenities in homes and is formed as a by-product of crude oil refinement and natural gas production.
    • It is the third most common fuel type in the world and is relatively low cost.

There are light, medium, and heavy duty vehicles available ready to accommodate propane. It has low maintenance costs, typically costs less per gallon than gasoline, and provides a comparable driving range to conventionally fueled vehicles.

Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from corn and other plant materials. Ethanol use is widespread, and more than 98% of gasoline in the U.S. contains some ethanol.

The most common blend of ethanol is E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline). Ethanol is also available as E85 (or flex fuel)—a high-level ethanol blend containing 51% to 83% ethanol, depending on geography and season—for use in flexible fuel vehicles. E15, another blend, is increasing its market presence.

It is approved for use in model year 2001 and newer light-duty conventional gas vehicles.

Produced ​domestically from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease, Biodiesel is a cleaner and more secure source of energy than standard oil. Though biodiesel blends can vary, the common blend of B100 reduces emissions 74% (Argonne Laboratory). This is because the emissions are offset through the CO2 absorption of the plants grown for production.

If spilled, pure biodiesel poses far less threats to the natural environment than petroleum. It also raises the cetane number of fuel and increases fuel lubricity.

Alternative Fueling Station Locator

Find alternative fueling stations in the United States and Canada. For U.S. stations, see data by state.
For Canadian stations in French, see Natural Resources Canada.

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Customer Resources

State of Colorado Resources

Colorado Energy Office. Transportation is currently the second largest source of GHG emissions in the state-and as Colorado’s electricity sector decarbonizes, transportation will become the greatest contributor of harmful, climate-altering pollution. Colorado is uniquely positioned to lead the transition to cleaner transportation options that will benefit the state for years to come.

FuelEconomy.gov

The official U.S. government source for fuel economy information

Find and Compare Cars Hybrid and Electric Cars
Miles Per Gallon Tool Fuel Economy Tips

Federal Government Alternative Fuel Tax Credit

Multiple tax credits exist to finance the purchase of Electric Vehicles, including a federal tax credit and a Colorado state tax credit. For Light Duty Vehicle tax incentives, your local ReCharge Colorado coach can assist you in determining what tax credits applies to your fleet. The credit amount will vary based on the capacity of the battery used to power the vehicle. State and/or local incentives may also apply. Here you can find the list of qualified EVs.

Vehicles powered exclusively by electricity are exempt from state motor vehicle emissions inspections. For more information, see the Air Care Colorado website. (Reference 1 Code of Colorado Regulations 204-11 Rule 2)

DISCLAIMER: Please consult a tax professional, Federal Internal Revenue Service, and CO Department of Revenue for actual figures.

Fleet and Business Resources

Save Energy Coalition is fortunate to have access to many tools and resources that help us help you. From online calculators to grant application coaching, we want to make the transition to alternative fuels as easy as possible for you.

Parts and Equipment Vehicle Maintenance Driving Behavior
Tips for how you can conserve fuel through your vehicle parts Tips for how you can maintain your vehicle to conserve fuel Tips for how driving behavior can conserve fuel
Topics Covered
Topics Covered
Topics Covered
Low Rolling Resistance Tires Proper Tire Inflation Train Drivers
Wide-Base Tires Recommended Motor Oil Give Feedback
Aerodynamic Equipment and
Vehicle Design
Engine Tune-Ups Provide Incentives
Idle Reduction Equipment Implement Policies
Fuel-Tracking Devices
and Telematics Systems
Optimize Routes
Speed Control Modules Properly Maintain Vehicles
Manage Fuel Use
and Operations

Idle Reduction

IdleBox is a toolkit of print products, templates, presentations, and information resources to assist with idle reduction projects for fleets with light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles. IdleBox tools can be used for a range of purposes, from printing fact sheets to calculating potential fuel savings to educating and engaging transportation decision makers, fleet managers, sustainability managers, and drivers on the benefits of idle reduction.

Fleet Rightsizing

 

Fleet rightsizing is a management practice that can help vehicle fleet managers build and maintain sustainable, fuel-efficient fleets. Fleet inventories often grow over time to include vehicles that are highly specialized, rarely used, or unsuitable for current applications. By evaluating fleet size and composition, managers can optimize vehicle use, conserve fuel, reduce emissions, and save money on fuel and maintenance.

Contact NCCC today for a free advising session to:

-Evaluate vehicle needs and use

-Make smart vehicle purchases

-Find grants and funding opportunities

Fleet Related Videos and Webinars

Learn about ethanol basics, ethanol station development, E15 expansion efforts, and virtually tour Front Range Energy’s manufacturing facility in Windsor, CO.

Save Energy Coalition had the pleasure of joining the City of Fort Collins for one of their monthly Climate Action Plan Lunch ‘n Learns.

This virtual site visit features the City of Longmont’s and CGRS’s partnership on a biogas treatment and renewable natural gas fueling station project at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Department Of Energy Tools

Federal / National Resources

Low or No Emission Program The Low-No Program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.
Alternative Fuel
Data Center Website
The AFDC website has extensive tools regarding all types of alternative fuels. Learn about the pros and cons of each type of alt. fuel, locate alt. fuel stations all over the nation, fleet application, laws and incentives, vehicle cost calculators, and much more.
U.S. Energy
Information Administration
Connect with our national network of local coalitions and stakeholders working to implement alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and fuel-saving strategies.
U.S. Department of Energy
Clean Cities Program
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) published annual data about fuel use and the number of vehicles in inventory for four types of alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) fleets: federal government, state governments, transit agencies, and fuel providers.
FuelEconomy.Gov EPA gas mileage, safety, air pollution, and greenhouse gas estimates for new and used cars and trucks. Improve the MPG of your vehicle with our gas mileage tips.
EPA’s Greenhouse Gas
Equivalencies Calculators

Did you ever wonder what reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 1 million metric tons means in every day terms? the greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator can help you understand just that, translating abstract measurements into concrete terms you can understand, such as the annual emissions from cars, households, or power plants.