Procurement and Operation of Green Vehicles

1
Procurement and Operation of Green Vehicles

• Technical Considerations
• November 6, 2008
• C. Mikel Oglesby
• General Manager, SunLine Transit Agency

2
Before You Skip Down the Green Highway

• Consider Regional Politics
• Consider Regional Partners (Regional
  Transportation Plan Participants)
• Consider Funding Sources
• Consider Operational Needs
• Consider Regulatory Requirements

3
The SunLine Story

• Told on MITs Department of Urban Studies Website
• Aging Fleet
• Board Concurrence on Alternative Fuels
• Extended Network of Original Equipment
  Manufacturers, Colleges, and the Local Gas
  Company
• Commitment to Zero Emissions
• Hydrogen Buss Introduced (i.e. H2ICE and Van
  Hool)
• Recognized as Leader in Fuel Cell Technology

4
Items To Consider in Purchasing Green Rolling
Stock

• Acquisitions Cost
• Cost to Acquire the Technology
• Cost to Maintain the Technology (Maintenance
  Profile)
• Cost of Operational Infrastructure (Access to and
  Range before Re-Fueling)
• Opportunity Cost of the Technology when Compared
  to Alternatives (CNG vs. Fuel Cell)

5
Items To Consider in Purchasing Green Rolling
Stock

• Contractual Considerations
• Is the Technology Developmental or Production
  (Developmental Projects carry more Schedule,
  Cost, and Quality Risk)?
• In Joint Development Projects are all Members
  Committed Contractually to the result?
• Is a Waiver of Buy America required?
• What are Program Alternatives if a Joint
  Development Member Backs Out?
• Are the Warranty Provisions adequate to Reduce
  Operational Risk (How Long can vehicle be
  non-operational before Warranty Repair is
  Completed)?
• Contractual Provisions must be reviewed in Detail.

6
Items To Consider in Purchasing Green Rolling
Stock

• Technical Requirements
• Who will develop the Product Specification?
• Who will verify that the Specification is
  Complete?
• How will the Agency verify that Specification
  Requirements are met?
• Is CARB Engine Certification Required?
• How will Maintenance Staff be Trained on the New
  Technology?
• What is the requirement for Maintenance and
  Repair manuals and how are they approved by the
  Agency?

7
Selection of Technology

• Agencies Must Consider the Evolution of
  Technology
• Nitrogen Oxides Particulates
• 1994 Cummings L-10-G Engine compared to New L
  Cummings Gas Plus Engine
• Old Engine produced 4.4 tons per year compared to
  New Engine with .18 tons per year of NOx

8
Selection of Technology

• Will the Technology Meet Standards
• EPA Standards
• CARB Standards

9
Potential Pitfalls

• Timing of the Funding
• Verify that the Funding Profile matches the
  Agency Spend Plan
• Lack of Community Support
• Choosing the Best Available Technology
• Lengthy Delivery Schedules add to the Risk of
  Purchasing Obsolete Technology
• Not Integrating New Technology into Regional Plan

10
Conclusion

• Political
• Technical
• Contractual
• Regional