Sunday, May 18, 2008

Using fuel-efficient vehicles

As reported by the APs Susan Haigh:

Connecticut provides state-owned vehicles to the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of the state, comptroller and treasurer. Everyone but Gov. M. Jodi Rell uses the Crown Victorias and typically someone drives the officials to and from home, and to various events.

Each said they try to fill up at state gas pumps, where the average for a gallon of unleaded regular this year has been about $2.46 per gallon. But they often have to buy fuel using credit cards at more expensive public gas stations.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy's web site, www.fueleconomy.gov, a 2007 Crown Victoria gets an estimated 15 miles per gallon in the city, 23 miles per gallon on the highway. If the car is a flex fuel vehicle, like some state vehicles, and uses E85 — a mostly ethanol blend — the mileage is a little worse.


Cheshire Town Government has about 150 vehicles, including two hybrids. In terms of sustainability and protecting the environment, I understand that hybrids are no panacea. But they're better than SUVs. I hope the Town revisits its vehicle purchasing policy and looks for options other than SUVs that can still ensure public safety.

Tim White

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good point but we will have to wait until we get a purchasing agent I guess. The department heads have much to do according to our TM.

Tim White said...

that's right. How could I forget?

The Administration screws up and wastes $75,000 (and counting) on the boiler. So obviously the Administration must offer a "solution" to this problem.

So now we need "purchasing" software and staff dedicated to purchases. A.k.a. "Let's spend more money."

these aren't the droids you're looking for. move along.

Anonymous said...

I'd say the dem council majority also screwed up by not going with CT Combustion. They could have thrown out Bowman's bid and stayed with the one they previously voted to accept.

Anonymous said...

I hope the Town revisits its vehicle purchasing policy and looks for options other than SUVs that can still ensure public safety.
-90 PERCENT OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS DRIVE SUVS FOR FOR VARIOUS REASONS. THESE VEHICLES, AS WELL AS THE ACCOMPANYING GAS USE, IS A COST OF DOING BUSINESS. ISSUING OFFICERS SMARTCARS ,SOLAR POWERED WEAPONS, AND HEMP UNIFORMS WONT WORK. HYBRID SUVS ARE AVAILABLE AT A PREMIUM COST THAT WOULD PROBABLY OUTWEIGH THE FUEL COSTS.