The city of Phoenix' alternative/clean fuel program is one of the largest in the country with over 3,000 vehicles operating on alternative/clean fuels. Each year approximately 12 million gallons of alternative fuels are used.
Since the 1990s, Phoenix has invested over $33 million for infrastructure and vehicles in its efforts to reduce vehicle emissions through the use of alternative/clean fuels. In addition, pilot programs are underway to evaluate synthetic and re-refined motor oil, hybrid vehicles, and LNG Solid Waste vehicles. Since November 2007, the Public Works and Aviation fleets have used only B20 Biodiesel to fuel their diesel vehicles.
Sky Harbor's Fleet
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport's fleet is composed of approximately 380 operational vehicles and over 100 transit buses that transport passengers between the terminals, parking lots and the regional light rail station. Approximately 250 of the Airport's operational vehicles are equipped with clean burning or alternative fuels or are hybrid vehicles. Over 100 of them operate on CNG, all transit buses run on CNG, and there are nearly 40 bio-diesel vehicles. In addition, there are 50 Aviation vehicles that use E85 fuel.
E85 is the newest addition to Sky Harbor. E85 which consists of 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline has been designated by the U.S. Department of Energy as an alternative fuel and it burns much cleaner than gasoline therefore polluting less. In fact, E85 is made from materials such as corn, beets, sugarcane, bio-mass etc. Sky Harbor’s E85 comes from Pinal Energy LLC, the first ethanol production facility in Arizona, which plays an important role in improving Arizona’s air quality, making jobs available, and providing a local source of ethanol. Earlier this year, Sky Harbor opened an E85 station to dispense E85 fuel to city of Phoenix Aviation Department cars and vehicles. Learn More
The permanent Airport taxi fleet is required to run under city-approved sustainability standards. All taxi companies contracted to pick up passengers at Sky Harbor are currently using E85 fuel.
Ace Parking also has 12 vehicles that run on E85 fuel.
All Super Shuttle vehicles that serve the Airport currently run on CNG or are low emission vehicles.
The CNG program at the Airport started in 1993.
Other companies that do business at the Airport are also finding ways to go green. Learn More