Federal Agencies Expands Hybrid Fleet

Three federal agencies in Kansas recently addedconnection with the Executive Order 13423 signed
hybrid vehicles to their fleet. The hybrid vehiclesby President George Bush which mandates
included in the fleet of the federal agencies arefederal agencies to increase the use of alternative
the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line vehicles. Twofuel vehicles on their fleet by ten percent every
units of the hybrid car were already delivered toyear. To date, GSA's fleet management division
different federal agencies in Kansas.has already delivered 3,581 units of alternative
Two units of the 2007 Saturn Aura Green Linefuel vehicles and 20 biodiesel vehicles to federal
were delivered by the General Servicesagencies.
Administration (GSA) to the United StatesAdministrator John Askew accepted the keys to
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7the Saturn center shoulder seatbelt-equipped Aura
in Kansas City, Kansas. One of these will be usedGreen Line for EPA Region 7. Askew has this to
by the EPA while the other is for the Nationalsay after receiving the hybrid car: "Using fuel
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)efficient vehicles like the Saturn hybrid we're
office in Kansas City, Missouri. The third vehicle willreceiving today just makes sense. Not only does
be delivered to the GSA fleet in Kansas City, Mo.it protect the environment by reducing emissions,
Romell Cooks, the regional administrator for thebut using less fuel strengthens our energy
NHTSA's Central Region, was given the keys tosecurity."
the hybrid Aura. "While safety of the motoringMeanwhile, GSA's Heartland Region Administrator
public is a key concern of the NHTSA, we areBradley M. Scott has this to say: "GSA is proud to
equally concerned about the fuel efficiency of ourjoin EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety
passenger cars and light trucks," said Cooks.Administration as government leaders in using and
"These types of vehicles will make a difference."supporting environmentally friendly vehicles, and
Aside from the three hybrid vehicles, the GSAwe look forward to providing energy efficient
has ordered 50 units in all of the Saturn Auravehicles and alternative fuel-use cars to more
Green Line. The vehicles will be delivered by GSAfederal agencies in the future."
to different federal agencies across the country.Aside from mandating a ten percent increase in
The Aura Green Line became an obvious choicealternative fuel vehicle use, the Executive Order
for the federal agencies in Kansas City Kansasalso directs federal agencies across the country
due to the fact that these vehicles were built inwith more than 20 motor vehicles to reduce
General Motors' assembly facility in Kansas City,petroleum fuel consumption by as much as two
Kansas.percent every year. The directive will stand until
The deliveries of the hybrid vehicles is inthe year 2015.