Clean Fuel Fleet Program Fact Sheet

Why is Wisconsin doing a Clean Fuel Fleet Program?

To address longstanding air quality problems, the 1990 Federal Clean Air Act Amendments require ozone non-attainment areas designated "serious" or worse to establish a Clean Fuel Fleet Program (CFFP). The clean fuel vehicles in this fleet program must emit less pollutants than conventional vehicles. The program is focused on fleets because:
  • On a per vehicle basis, fleet vehicles have more of an opportunity to produce a positive impact on air quality than non-fleet vehicles.
  • Fleets represent a very effective mechanism to introduce clean fuel technology to the market.

In Wisconsin, the six counties affected by the program are:

  • Kenosha
  • Milwaukee
  • Ozaukee
  • Racine
  • Washington
  • Waukesha

How will clean fuel vehicles improve air quality?

Clean fuel vehicles have stringent tailpipe emission standards which reduce the emission of harmful air pollutants - carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), etc. These pollutants are the cause of air quality problems and contribute to the formation of smog.

What is a clean fuel vehicle?

A clean fuel vehicle (CFV) is one that is certified by the manufacturer or converter to meet one of the following EPA vehicle emission standards:

  • Low Emission Vehicle (LEV),
  • Inherently LEV (ILEV),
  • Ultra-LEV (ULEV), or
  • Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV)
and operates on one or more clean fuels to which the vehicle was certified.

What is a clean fuel?

A fuel is a "clean fuel" if it is used to certify a vehicle to the LEV, ILEV, ULEV or ZEV standards. It may be an alternative fuel or a conventional fuel.

Who will be affected by the Program?

All private and public fleets located or operated in the six-county area with 10 or more vehicles that are:

  • below 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and
  • centrally fueled or capable of being centrally fueled.

How are the fleets affected?

Beginning September 1, 1998 (Model Year 1999), a certain percentage of all new covered fleet vehicles acquired (i.e.,purchased or leased) by each covered fleet operator in the six county area must be clean fuel vehicles. The phase-in schedule is shown in the table below:
Model Year
1999
2000
2001
Light-duty Vehicles and Trucks (LDV/LDT) – Below 8,500 lb.GVWR
30%
50%
70%
Heavy-duty Vehicles (HDV) – 8,500-26,000 lb.GVWR
50%
50%
50%

If covered, fleets can comply in three ways:

  • by acquiring new clean fuel vehicles; or
  • by converting vehicles to clean alternative fuels that meet or exceed EPA certified LEV standards; or
  • by redeeming credits

Which vehicles are exempt?

The following types of vehicles are exempt from Program requirements:

  • rental agency fleets
  • licensed dealership inventory vehicles
  • manufacturer demonstration or test vehicles
  • law enforcement and emergency vehicles
  • vehicles used for national security
  • vehicles designed for non-road application
  • vehicles over 26,000 lb. GVWR

How do fleets earn credits?

A market-based credit program is included in the CFFP to allow flexibility and cost-effective compliance. Fleets earn credits if they exceed the requirements by purchasing or acquiring:

  • more LEVs than required;
  • more stringent emission certified vehicles than LEV - such as Ultra LEV (ULEV), Inherently LEV (ILEV) and Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV);
  • LEV or cleaner vehicles earlier than required;
  • LEV or cleaner vehicles in exempt categories.

The credits can be banked, traded, or transferred within the specific non-attainment area and in the same vehicle weight category. Fleet operators can benefit by selling credits to others who cannot meet full requirements.

Are there any incentives in the Clean Fuel Fleet Program?

To encourage fleet owners to acquire clean vehicles:

  • Clean fuel fleet vehicles are exempt from temporal based (time-of-day and day-of-week) Transportation Control Measures (TCMs) implemented for air quality reasons.

  • Clean fuel fleet vehicles certified as ILEVs are exempt from High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane restrictions.

What are the fleet reporting requirements?

Registration:

  • Fleets operating in the covered area must register with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) within 60 days of receipt or publication of the registration forms. The registration information must be updated annually by February 28th of each year.

Trip profile calculations (if applicable):

  • Trip profile calculations are required for non-exempt fleet vehicles claimed as incapable of being centrally fueled. This will enable the DNR to identify fleets and fleet vehicles covered by the Program.

Compliance Plan:

  • Covered fleet operators must initially submit a compliance plan to the DNR annually thereafter by the date of the initial submittal. This will allow the DNR to monitor compliance with the Program.

Who to contact for more information?

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Southeast Region, Milwaukee -- Jessica Lawent at (414) 263-8653; or
  • Bureau of Air Management, Madison -- Muhammed Islam at (608) 264-9219

Last Reviewed: January 2006
Next Review: January 2007
Last Revised: Tuesday January 16 2007