OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s Governor Mary Fallin and the State’s Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley announced the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has added 160 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to its fleet. The governor’s office said ODOT’s field division offices will use the vehicles.

This purchase is the beginning of the State’s effort to convert its fleet, which it outlined at the inaugural Governor’s Energy Conference in 2011. Fallin is helping to lead a coalition of 22 states that have already signed a memorandum of understanding to convert their fleets to CNG.

ODOT already has four Honda Civic Natural Gas models and expects to receive 156 three-quarter ton Ram pickups in January. Oklahoma’s Ridley said ODOT’s fleet is aging due to cutbacks, so the new vehicles will help the organization modernize its fleet.

ODOT is paying $5 million for the vehicles. The organization expects to save approximately $20,000 over the life of the vehicle in fuel and maintenance cost savings compared to a gasoline or diesel vehicle.

Looking ahead, Ridley said the State plans to replace 90 percent of its fleet vehicles at ODOT and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority with CNG vehicles in the next three years.