INDIANAPOLIS – The City of Indianapolis announced its Department of Public Works (DPW) and Office of Sustainability are taking steps to improve the fuel economy of its fleet vehicles and reduce emissions. Working with the Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition (GICCC), both City departments are using a $318,300 grant from the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program Indiana Office of Energy Development for this program.

The program involves a purchase of 25 Ford Fusion hybrids. In addition, the City will use funds to retrofit eight DPW Ford F-150 pickup trucks with propane autogas systems and convert 11 Sheriff’s Department vans to bi-fuel propane systems. The City also received five electric vehicles through a partnership between THINK and GICCC. The City estimates savings in gasoline and maintenance for the propane conversions is $15,000 per truck.

“The improvements we are making to the City’s fleet and the savings involved illustrate our commitment to creating a more sustainable, livable community,” said Mayor Greg Ballard. “Our addition of efficient vehicles to the City’s fleet will result in a more economical and cleaner environment.”

In addition to the fleet changes, the City also noted that it has retrofitted its Fleet Services building though the Sustainable Facilities Initiative with changes designed to improve energy efficiency. The changes include variable frequency drives, high-efficiency lighting and heating equipment including gas-fired radiant heaters in the service bays. The City said it will reduce energy costs by $23,287 annually.

The State of Indiana has also followed a similar policy with regard to its vehicles. For example, it converted 227 vehicles to propane autogas in 2010. The State also took delivery of 15 THINK EVs in 2010.