Gas Prices Affect Pocketbooks Everywhere
Rising gas prices are affecting pocketbooks everywhere. Many years ago, Euless began looking at ways to maximize our efficiency with our fleet. The City of Euless fleet currently operates 20 vehicles on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as propane, as an alternative fuel source. These vehicles range from heavy trucks to small pickups. These units can alternate between gasoline and propane and are driven on propane in daily usage 50% of the time. This fuel alternative results in kinder emissions to the environment. Euless has also implemented policies that city vehicles will be a Low Emissions Vehicle, Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle or a Zero Emissions Vehicle type. Approximately 95% of the fleet meets this mandate. Last year, Euless received a $135,000 Clean Fleet Vehicle Project grant to replace older vehicles that do not burn fuel as cleanly as some newer models. Ten cars and pickups were purchased that will help us achieve our goal of a clean fleet. One of these cars was a hybrid to test this practical vehicle for effectiveness. It passed with flying colors.
A look to the near future includes possibly moving to neighborhood electric vehicles that are battery operated. These vehicles must remain on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. This is ideal for local neighborhood inspections. We will also increase the number of LPG powered vehicles and hybrids while downsizing many of the larger pickups depending on the end user.
With the ever increasing population and influx of cars, highways and flights from DFW Airport, the challenge to keep Euless green is increasing daily. The City of Euless is meeting that challenge through innovative programs, policies and procedures that not only save valuable tax dollars, they make Euless a more sustainable place to work and live.
