Transitioning to Alternative Fuel Vehicles: A Feasibility Study for the City of Arcadia

The City of Arcadia requested a report analyzing the feasibility of transitioning its nonsafetyvehicle fleet from conventional vehicles to alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). In light ofemerging alternative fuel technologies and policies, we make recommendations regarding theapproach Arcadia should take in incorporating these technologies and policies into its generalplan. We recommend particular AFVs, which are most appropriate to replace the City’s vehiclesdue for replacement in the next ten years. We specifically analyzed the three types of AFVs:compressed natural gas (CNG), hybrid, and plug-in electric against the conventional gasoline ordiesel vehicles. The main consideration was cost, but other vehicle specifications, such as theCity’s vehicle performance requirements, reliability, and emissions, were also evaluated toguarantee comparable performance.