Federal Fleet Requirements Resource Center: Overview of Fleet Statutory Requirements

EPAct 1992 Section 303 (42 U.S.C. 13212(b)) says:

"(b) Percentage Requirements

(1) Of the total number of vehicles acquired by a Federal fleet, at least—

(A) 25 percent in fiscal year 1996;

(B) 33 percent in fiscal year 1997;

(C) 50 percent in fiscal year 1998; and

(D) 75 percent in fiscal year 1999 and thereafter, shall be alternative fueled vehicles."

(2) The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services where appropriate, may permit a Federal fleet to acquire a smaller percentage than is required in paragraph (1), so long as the aggregate percentage acquired by all Federal fleets is at least equal to the required percentage.

(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term "Federal fleet" means 20 or more light duty motor vehicles, located in a metropolitan statistical area or consolidated metropolitan statistical area, as established by the Bureau of the Census, with a 1980 population of more than 250,000, that are centrally fueled or capable of being centrally fueled and are owned, operated, leased, or otherwise controlled by or assigned to any Federal executive department, military department, Government corporation, independent establishment, or executive agency, the United States Postal Service, the Congress, the courts of the United States, or the Executive Office of the President. Such term does not include—

(A) motor vehicles held for lease or rental to the general public;

(B) motor vehicles used for motor vehicle manufacturer product evaluations or tests;

(C) law enforcement vehicles;

(D) emergency vehicles;

(E) motor vehicles acquired and used for military purposes that the Secretary of Defense has certified to the Secretary must be exempt for national security reasons; or

(F) nonroad vehicles, including farm and construction vehicles."

Learn more about FEMP resources and best practices for compliance with the EPAct 1992 alternative fuel vehicle acquisition requirement.

EISA Section 141 (42 U.S.C. § 13212(f)(2)), emphasis added, says:

"(A) In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), no Federal agency shall acquire a light duty motor vehicle or medium-duty passenger vehicle that is not a low greenhouse gas emitting vehicle.

(B) Exception

The prohibition in subparagraph (A) shall not apply to acquisition of a vehicle if the head of the agency certifies in writing, in a separate certification for each individual vehicle purchased, either—

(i) that no low greenhouse gas emitting vehicle is available to meet the functional needs of the agency and details in writing the functional needs that could not be met with a low greenhouse gas emitting vehicle; or

(ii) that the agency has taken specific alternative more cost-effective measures to reduce petroleum consumption that—

(I) have reduced a measured and verified quantity of greenhouse gas emissions equal to or greater than the quantity of greenhouse gas reductions that would have been achieved through acquisition of a low greenhouse gas emitting vehicle over the lifetime of the vehicle; or

(II) will reduce each year a measured and verified quantity of greenhouse gas emissions equal to or greater than the quantity of greenhouse gas reductions that would have been achieved each year through acquisition of a low greenhouse gas emitting vehicle."

Learn more about FEMP resources and best practices for compliance with the EISA Section 141 acquisition of low greenhouse gas-emitting vehicles requirement.

GSA FMR Part 102-34.40 says:

"Government motor vehicle fuel efficiency requirements.
(a) Executive agencies operating domestic fleets must comply with the following motor vehicle fuel efficiency requirements, specifically applicable to passenger automobiles:
(1) Obtain the minimum size of motor vehicle necessary to fulfill the agency's mission;
(2) Obtain motor vehicles that achieve maximum fuel efficiency;
(3) Limit motor vehicle body size, engine size and optional equipment to what is essential to meet the agency's mission;
(4) With the exception of motor vehicles used by the President and Vice President and motor vehicles for security and highly essential needs, obtain midsize or smaller sedans; and
(5) Obtain large sedans only when such motor vehicles are essential to the agency's mission.
(b) Agencies must establish and document a structured vehicle allocation methodology to determine the appropriate size and number of motor vehicles.
(c) This subpart does not apply to motor vehicles exempted by law or other regulations, such as law enforcement or emergency rescue work and foreign fleets. Other Federal agencies are encouraged to comply so that maximum energy conservation benefits may be realized in obtaining, operating, and managing Government motor vehicles."

Learn more about FEMP resources and best practices for compliance with the GSA FMR vehicle allocation methodology requirement.