By Brett Rosenberg
November 3, 2003

More communities than ever are beginning to realize the advantages of adopting alternatives to conventional fuels in their vehicle fleets and citywide operations. In addition to the potential for long-term cost savings and the imperative to do more with less, innovations in alternative fuel technologies provide significant gains in fuel economy and emissions reductions.

Dion Johnson of Detroit's Executive Office provided an overview of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's Urban Agenda and its emphasis on applying new technology to innovate existing city infrastructure. Detroit is formulating a new mindset, shaking what Johnson calls the "rust belt mentality." With the goal of becoming the Silicon Valley of the Northeast, and noting that the big three automobile manufacturers represent the biggest technology companies in Michigan, Johnson set out the objectives of not only continuing research and development, but also becoming the leading manufacturer of Alternative Energy products.

To follow up with Johnson's remarks, Rachel Kuntzsch of NextEnergy, a Michigan Economic Development Corporation program, offered her organization's work and perspectives in addressing jobs, the environment, energy security, and lifestyles in the region. NextEnergy is working to retain and attract talent in energy technologies, educate consumers to create markets for new energy technologies, upgrade the workforce through outreach to universities and K-12 programs and provide financial incentives to attract alternative energy industries while supporting existing supply chains.

John Gaydash, Director of Marketing, Fleet and Commercial Operations for the General Motors Corporation, gave a compelling presentation of the corporate perspective of alternative fuel vehicles, with a special emphasis on providing for large metropolitan fleets. Gaydash described several vehicles currently available that use alternative fuels and hybrid technology.

An example of particular interest is Seattle's decision to purchase 235 buses equipped with the Allison Hybrid Electric Drive. According to various estimates, these transit buses will generate fuel savings equivalent to replacing 8,000 conventional cars with hybrids. Furthermore, Gaydash mentioned that if the nine largest US cities outfitted their 13,000 buses with hybrid electric drives, they would save 40 million gallons of fuel annually, the equivalent of selling half a million small passenger car hybrids. Gaydash spoke very enthusiastically about industry-wide progress in advancing vehicle design and hydrogen fuel infrastructure, developments that could drastically reduce or even replace fossil fuel use in the future.