Managing the fleet

A new software tool that compares the costs and emissions of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to conventional vehicles is now available in the

for fleet managers interested in reducing fuel costs and protecting air quality.

The tool, called the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Fleet Cost and Benefits Calculator Tool, was developed by the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Center for a New American Dream, and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The new tool is available for free either here or here.

"Fleets have a large influence on how much oil our nation uses and HEVs are an important option for fleets to consider," said Stan Bull, NREL's Director of Science and Technology.

The use of hybrid vehicles in the United States has grown rapidly in the last few years. New hybrid vehicle registrations reached nearly 84,000 in 2004, while sales of hybrids in the first five months of 2005 reached 73,000. Public and private fleets are contributing to this surge in popularity. More than 90 city, state and county governments, and some private fleets, use light duty hybrids according to data collected by the Center for a New American Dream.