Colorado’s Governor John Hickenlooper has signed a bill into law that would require State agencies to purchase alternative-fuel fleet vehicles, with an emphasis on those fueled by natural gas.

The bill, SB31070, requires agencies to purchase alternative-fuel vehicles, specifically those fueled by natural gas or “other alternative fuels,” as long as the purchase price of such a vehicle is not more than 10% over the price of a dedicated gasoline or diesel vehicle.

The State’s original bill mentioned plug-in hybrid vehicles in addition to those powered by alternative fuels, but the revised version now focuses the purchasing directive on natural gas-fueled vehicles (though it does say “other alternative fuels” as well).

Beyond the purchase price exemption, the bill exempts agencies from purchasing alternative-fuel vehicles if there is no fueling infrastructure available.

By Greg Basich