The Fleet Management Administration (FMA) keeps the District government going by repairing and maintaining more than 3,000 vehicles used for all city services except police, fire, corrections and schools. FMA also fuels all 6,000 DC government vehicles, including school buses, fire and trash trucks, street sweepers and the vehicles used in the Snow and Ice Control Program. About 30 DC government agencies rely on Fleet’s expertise when acquiring new vehicles to meet program needs.

Fleet also helps the District reduce its fuel consumption and meet its environmental goals for improved air quality. It achieves this by acquiring healthier alternative fuel vehicles that use bio-diesel, E-85, electricity, compressed natural gas (CNG), and ultra-low sulfur diesel. Altogether, there are more than 700 alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles in the District’s fleet.

In FY 2010, the District introduced bio-diesel (B-20) fuel. More than 2,300 vehicles use this clean burning alternative fuel that comes from 20 percent renewable resources. The District is one of a few major cities to use this renewable resource.

How You Can Help

DC residents can also help keep our air cleaner and safer when operating your vehicle by following these simple fuel conservation tips:

• Don’t top off your gas tank when refueling.
• Make sure the gas cap is fitted properly.
• Eliminate unnecessary idling time.
• Do not exceed the speed limit.
• Accelerate smoothly.
• Avoid quick starts and sudden stops.
• Use air conditioning only when necessary.
• Carpool with others whenever possible.
• Keep tires properly inflated.
• Avoid transporting excess weight.
• Promptly notify the service shop if your vehicle needs repair.
• Keep scheduled maintenance appointments.

Just the Facts

• Fleet’s environmental expertise won the District a 2009 Government Green Fleet award and was ranked 14th of 40 local jurisdictions.
• The District was the first jurisdiction to introduce the innovative DC Fleet Share motor pool operation (based on the Zipcar model) that allows DC government employees to reserve a vehicle via the Internet on a first-come, first-served basis. The District’s online fleet management maximizes fleet utilization on an hourly basis, allowing a high number of trips to be supported by a smaller number of vehicles. The motor pool offers mid-size and compact vehicles, which are fuel efficient AFVs.
• District government’s annual Truck Touch event features a wide array of vehicles used daily to provide government services. The 2009 Truck Touch featured street sweepers, fire and dump trucks, tow truck, one-stop mobile health and employment vans, and police vehicles— including a helicopter and a horse.
• Throughout the year, Fleet brings vehicles to schools to give children a hands-on experience.