State motor pool reports on fuel efficiency

The state of Montana is on track to surpass the goals of a 2007 bill directing the state motor pool to achieve a fleetwide fuel-efficiency average of 30 miles per gallon by 2010.

To achieve the goal, the state has increased the number of efficient cars in its fleet, along with the addition of new hybrids, like the Ford Escape in the SUV class, and the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic among sedans.

"Gov. (Brian) Schweitzer wanted all state agencies to achieve an average of 30 miles per gallon," said Jim Lynch, director of the Montana Department of Transportation, which oversees the state motor pool. "We hit 31 miles per gallon in 2009, so we're ahead of schedule."

As the state updates its fleet of cars, the gasoline-chugging vehicles of the past are slowly disappearing from the motor pool, which currently owns 98 hybrids, including five hybrid SUVs.

Lynch said the motor pool plans to purchase 27 new hybrids in the spring, along with a few new hybrid SUVs. That will boost the motor pool's fleetwide miles-per-gallon average even higher.

"When you factor those in, we'll go from a fleetwide average of 31.6 miles per gallon to 34.2 miles per gallon," Lynch said. "We still have some of the older cars in our fleet, and they're still factored in. But when those older cars reach their maturity and are replaced, our mileage will continue to increase."

From 2005 to 2007, fuel costs exceeded the state motor pool's budget by roughly $5 million. The spike was blamed on gasoline prices following Hurricane Katrina.

State leaders feared similar cost spikes in the future, especially as global oil demand increased, supplies diminished and turmoil in the Middle East created new uncertainties.

So in 2007, state Sen. Kim Gillan, D-Billings, introduced a bill directing state agencies to develop a program by Jan. 1, 2008, to reduce the amount of fuel consumed by state vehicles.

The bill became law in May 2007 and is often mentioned as part of Schweitzer's 20 by 10 Initiative, which aims to reduce energy consumption by state government 20 percent by the end of 2010.

"It's the rural nature of Montana that dictates that our workers need to be out there on the road," Gillan said. "At least now they can make the same essential trip and do it in a much more fuel-efficient and cost-effective way."

Gillan described herself as a frequent driver who often travels between Billings and Helena. When out on the highway, she said, she has noted a change in the types of vehicles on the road, and the types of vehicles driven by state workers.

"I've seen a change in the composition of the state motor pool's fleet," she said. "We all learn by example, and when state government sets an example in using more fuel-efficient vehicles, it sends a powerful message to the taxpayer that we're all in this together."

Gillan's observations aren't far off. The state's newer cars have replaced older sedans, such as the Ford Taurus, and older SUVS like the Dodge Durango. Some of the older cars got 25 miles per gallon or less.

While the hybrids cost a little more, their resale value is often higher. What's more, Lynch added, their mileage saves the state money on fuel costs over their useful life of six years.

On the resale side, Lynch noted, two older hybrids sold at auction for $7,000 and $8,900 respectively. In comparison, the Ford Taurus, a nonhybrid vehicle with lower fuel efficiency, went for $3,000 to $5,000.

"The manufacturers are putting more cars out there with higher ratings, and the hybrids are increasing our mileage," Lynch said. "The important thing is, we hit 31.6 mpg in 2009, and we'll continue to look at ways to improve gasoline miles in our vehicles.

"It's been a good thing," Lynch added. "We've gone from cars getting 25 miles per gallon to new gasoline cars that get 35 miles per gallon. Of course, our hybrids perform even better than that."