Information About Fleet Services

How do I contact Fleet Services?

What does Fleet Services do?

The Fleet Services workgroup provides equipment acquisition, maintenance and financing to support the entire city. Under the direction of the Facilities and Fleet Manager, the workgroup manages the equipment operations and equipment replacement funds, coordinates all fleet acquisitions, repairs equipment, coordinates outside vendor services and provides two-way radio acquisition and maintenance support.

How many people work in Fleet Services and what do they do?

There are 10 people in Fleet Services:

  • one manager
  • one supervisor
  • six technicians
  • two parts specialists
  • They do preventive maintenance and general repairs; order vehicles, equipment, parts, supplies and fuel; conducts emissions tests and safety inspections; and maintains radio equipment to assure the continued safe and effective operations of city programs.

Who are Fleet Services' customers?

Ultimately, the most important customers are Boulder residents and the public who benefit from the internal support Fleet Services provides to city departments for emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles/equipment, radio contact and other mobility needs that support city services.

How large is the city fleet?

The city fleet consists of 441 vehicles and over 528 other types of equipment (such as lawn mowers, carts, trailers, air compressors, chain saws, weed eaters, auxiliary equipment for vehicles, radio equipment, etc.), totaling approximately $26 million in original purchase price.

What factors help determine what type of vehicles the city will use?

There are several sometimes-conflicting factors that staff balances when selecting vehicles:

  • Appropriateness and suitability to job requirements
  • Compliance with regulatory mandates (state and federal)
  • Alternative fuel use (Ethanol/Biodiesel/Electric/Hybrid)
  • Fuel efficiency

What are Fleet Services' environmental goals?

The city fleet has met the 2012 Kyoto goals to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions to seven percent below 1990 usage levels. Fleet will continue its efforts to reduce GHG emissions by purchasing alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles.

What is an alternatively fueled vehicle (AFV)?

A vehicle that uses liquefied propane gas (LPG), ethanol, biodiesel, electricity, compressed natural gas (CNG) or some combination of these and conventional gasoline or diesel fuel. Some of the benefits of an AFV is that it exceeds federal clean fuel emission standards and reduces consumption of petroleum-based fuels.

When does Fleet replace vehicles?

It varies by class of vehicle, but non-emergency services fleet vehicles are typically replaced every seven to 10 years. Each vehicle has several "lives," including a technological life, a functional life and an economic life. The replacement of a vehicle or piece of equipment is based on a number of factors including age, mileage, cost to operate and maintain, condition and residual value.

Why doesn't Fleet buy only AFVs when replacing an older vehicle?

Not all vehicles and fuels types are available in the Boulder region. For example, there are limited stations for compressed natural gas or hydrogen. Also, some capabilities we need in a vehicle, like low noise and heavy duty capacity, are not available in an AFV.

Does Fleet Services participate in the Boulder County PACE (Partners for a Clean Environment) program?

Fleet Services was in the original group of PACE-certified organizations and continues to be a model for others seeking to become PACE-certified.

How are citywide objectives integrated into decisions made about the city's Fleet?

The city's fleet policies are designed to support broad objectives to ensure that Fleet Services is in compliance with all applicable governmental regulations, including inspection programs, clean air regulations, underground tank requirements, alternative fuel vehicle requirements and all other existing and future regulations. Additionally, the Facilities & Fleet Manager works with a cross-departmental advisory committee, which provides feedback on fleet policies and guides decisions on Fleet acquisitions to ensure that vehicle specifications most effectively address user needs and citywide goals, including environmental objectives and service requirements.

In 2007, the Fleet Policy Advisory Group committed to purchasing alternative fuel vehicles to the maximum extent possible and set a goal for 65 percent of all vehicles purchased will be alternative fuel.

Does the city use biodiesel?

Yes, the city uses B20 (a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent fossil fuel) in 99 vehicles and pieces of equipment.