A federal call to put more vehicles using cleaner-burning alternative fuels on the road is being heard in Utah.
The Utah Foundation reports there are 1,660 alternative-fuel vehicles now registered in the state. Most are powered by natural gas.Those numbers are expected to increase rapidly over the next five years as federal laws take effect requiring state and federal governments, as well as fuel providers, to purchase alternative fuel vehicles.
The private research organization also points out that beginning in 1996, Washington has the option to adopt similar measures forcing municipal government and private company fleets to begin converting to alternative fuels.
"The purpose of these acts is to create a market for vehicles powered by alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol, natural gas, propane, hydrogen or other fuels," said Michael Christensen, Utah Foundation executive director.
But while noting that alternative-fuels use could prove to be a potent weapon in the clean-air arsenal, the foundation also concedes that they generally are more expensive than gasoline,
Foundation researchers point out that laws requiring a shift to alternative fuels by certain government and private fleets are aimed at creating a market that supports more research and investment.
In addition, state and federal incentive programs provide tax credits and even loans to help convert gasoline-powered vehicles to use alternative fuels.
"For example, federal income tax deductions from $2,000 to $50,000 are available depending on the size of the vehicle," Christensen said. "Utah law also provides a one-time income tax credit of up to $500 for the purchase of factory-ready, alternative-fuels vehicles and up to $400 for conversion of an existing vehicle."
Service stations that install new facilities to fuel and service alternative-fuels vehicles also may qualify for a one-time federal tax credit of up to $100,000.
On Monday, Lt. Gov. Olene Walker unveiled a battery-run pickup truck as the first of possibly many such vehicles to be added to the state's motor pool.
"It illustrates our commitment to our environment. We've got to find solutions to our air-quality problem," she said.
The Ford Ranger pickup is powered by common lead-acid batteries, but a catalyst developed by BAT Technologies Inc. of West Valley City allows the batteries to operate five times longer than their off-the-shelf counterparts.
The Utah Transit Authority has put five compressed natural gas-operated buses on the road. Maintenance director Jim Ercanbrack said 10 buses using liquefied natural gas have been ordered for use in late 1994.