Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) are dedicated, flexible fuel, or dual-fuel vehicles designed to operate on at least one alternative fuel. These vehicles operate on an electric charge or can run on various fuels, including compressed natural gas (CNG), liquid natural gas (LNG), ethanol, biodiesel, propane and hydrogen. AFVs can reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on oil. In both the passenger and freight areas, AFVs offer reduced fuel costs, savings on maintenance, attractive new technology, support of domestic industries, and promotion of environmental sustainability.
In 2017, the NJTPA partnered with three pilot municipalities, Montclair, Secaucus and Woodbridge, to develop local readiness plans to use electric and natural gas vehicles in those communities. The reports can be found at the following links:
The plans consider how municipal regulations and infrastructure can be improved to advance the use of alternative fuel vehicles, including a review of local zoning and land use ordinances, permitting requirements and potential locations for infrastructure.
The NJTPA also developed a Readiness Guidebook to help communities interested in developing local readiness plans in the NJTPA’s 13-county region. The guidebook describes the variety of alternative fuel vehicle options for both consumers and fleet operators, highlights what it takes to become AFV-ready, and offers recommended actions and further resources. Click here to download a brochure about the guidebook.
Before developing the pilot municipal readiness plans and guidebook, NJTPA developed a publication in 2015 as a summary of AFVs and the work of the MPO to promote AFV readiness in the region.
Additional Resources
U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Alternative Fuel Vehicles Page
https://www.energy.gov/alternative-fuel-vehicles
U.S. DOE’s Alternative Fuels Data Center New Jersey Page
https://afdc.energy.gov/states/nj
New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition
https://cleancities.energy.gov/coalitions/new-jersey/