摘要: |
The effectiveness of state and local government programs that are intended to foster the use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and the use of government-based incentives to enhance the effectiveness of government AFV programs are analyzed. The findings from surveys of all 50 states of officials overseeing or managing state AFV programs are reported. The survey investigated AFV program motivation, financing, fuel tracking, barriers, applicability of incentives, and future needs. Research revealed that most AFV programs are in their infancy and are focused on basic needs, such as AFV procurement and refueling infrastructure development. Research also revealed that the federal AFV purchase and air quality mandates are the primary reason states engage in AFV activities, and federal funds are the primary funding source. Federal AFV purchase mandates are clearly stimulating activity; however, delay and modification of these mandates have a deleterious effect on state AFV programs. Many officials indicated that dual and bifuel AFVs do not use alternative fuels and that tracking of fuel use is limited. Political support, "fuel neutrality", and increased AFV promotion were reported as important to program success. The authors conclude that both federal mandates and incentives are important, if not critical, for continued AFV progress at the state level. Using state programs as models, federal incentive programs should be flexible and fuel neutral, should reflect a "polluter pays" concept, should provide funds for federal mandates, and should address multiple federal goals. |