More AFV choices available to federal fleet buyers

The federal General Services Administration (GSA) has boosted the number of alternative-fuel vehicle (AFV) selections available to federal and military fleets through GSA’s online ordering and procurement system, AutoChoice. The number of AFV emerging technology offerings that federal fleet buyers and managers can choose from has increased from seven to 14.

Contracts for new emerging technology vehicles available through AutoChoice have been awarded to the following vendors:

Central Truck Center, Inc., Landover, Md. — electric utility truck, electric stake bed truck, and electric dump truck

Electric Vehicle International (EVI), Stockton, Calif. — electric utility vehicle, two electric walk-in vans (model is in photo), and an electric stake bed truck

K. Neal International Trucks, Inc., Hyattsville, Md. — eStar electric multi-stop van

RP Automotive, West Covina, Calif. — the Boulder EV electric truck

Some of the available vehicles that were already on GSA’s emerging technology list include the Mitsubishi iMiev, Nissan Leaf, Pure EV, GM Volt, Ford Focus BEV, the Azure Transit Connect and the Smith Electric Newton.

In an EVI press release announcing that it has been awarded a U.S. GSA Schedule for its AFVs, EVI said its “medium-duty truck and walk-in vans are all electric, class 4-6 delivery trucks boasting more acceleration and torque compared to internal combustion engines. With a top speed of 65 mph and a range of 90 miles, EVI vehicles are well suited for return-to-base applications. Lithium iron magnesium phosphate batteries from Valence Technology power EVI vehicles.”

Frank Jenkins, EVI’s vice president of sales and marketing said, “EVI’s addition to the GSA vehicle automotive list is another big win for EVI as we look to grow our customer base throughout the country. We are excited to partner with federal agencies and military forces as they look to transform their fleets to clean, energy-efficient, long-life battery electric vehicles that are built to stand up to the rigors of military use.”

K. Neal International Trucks also was recently awarded GSA Contract No. GS-30F-X0063 to provide buses to federal agencies.

More information is at GSA’s AFV site and in Executive Order 13514 that spelled out energy performance guidance for federal fleet managers.