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In this presentation, SURTC researcher Jeremy Mattson presented the results of a survey of small urban and rural transit systems regarding alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles. The experiences of users, perceived benefits and deterrents, and factors affecting adoption are explored. Findings provide useful information to transit operators considering adoption of alternative fuels and hybrids and to policy makers considering policies on these alternatives.
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Use of Alternative Fuels and
Hybrid Vehicles by Small Urban
and Rural Transit Systems
Jeremy Mattson
Small Urban & Rural Transit Center
Upper Great Plains Transportation
Institute, North Dakota State University
20th National Conference for Rural
Public & Intercity Bus Transportation
October 15, 2012 – Salt Lake City, UT
Survey Overview
• Survey of 115 rural and small urban transit systems on use of:• Biodiesel
• E85
• Propane
• CNG
• Hybrid-electric vehicles
• Conducted April 2011
• Main topics• Use
• Satisfaction
• Problems
• Perceived benefits/reasons for adoption
• Deterrents
Number of Transit Agencies Surveyed
TargetedSurveys
Sent
Surveys
Successfully Delivered
Survey
Responses Submitted
--------------------Number of transit agencies--------------------
Small Urban 394 305 NA 54+
Large Rural 270 245 NA 37+
Total 664 550 496 115
Locations of Transit Agencies Responding
to Survey
Alternative Fuel and Hybrid Vehicle Use
by Responding Agencies
31
84
10
24
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Num
ber
of
transit a
gencie
s
Use of Alternative Fuels and Hybrid
Vehicles, by Urban and RuralNumber (Percentage)
Yes No
Urban
Biodiesel 18 (38%) 30 (63%)
Flex Fuel Vehicle 16 (30%) 38 (70%)
E85 in FFV 3 (19%) 13 (81%)
Propane 2 (4%) 52 (96%)
CNG 7 (13%) 47 (87%)
Hybrids 19 (35%) 35 (65%)
Rural
Biodiesel 3 (12%) 23 (88%)
Flex Fuel Vehicle 10 (27%) 27 (73%)
E85 in FFV 3 (27%) 8 (73%)
Propane 2 (5%) 35 (95%)
CNG 2 (5%) 35 (95%)
Hybrids 3 (8%) 34 (92%)
Locations of Responding Agencies the use
Alternative Fuels or Hybrids
(a) Biodiesel (b) E85
(c) Propane (d) CNG
(e) Hybrids
Satisfaction Reported by Users
nVery
satisfiedSomewhat satisfied
Neither
satisfied
nor dissatisfied
Somewhat dissatisfied
Very dissatisfied
Biodiesel 22 27% 36% 14% 18% 5%
E85 7 29% 0% 57% 14% 0%
Propane 4 0% 75% 25% 0% 0%
CNG 9 56% 44% 0% 0% 0%
Hybrid-electric 24 50% 17% 8% 8% 17%
Reasons for Adopting Biodiesel
38%
29%
24%
41%
71%
14%
5%
57%
52%
52%
36%
29%
62%
38%
5%
19%
24%
23%
24%
57%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Reducing emissions
Energy dependency concerns
Desire to utilize local resources and products
Political directives
Improving public perception
Positive performance impacts of the fuel
Fuel cost savings
Major reason Minor reason Not a reason
Deterrents before Adoption by Biodiesel
Users
24%
5%
5%
43%
19%
48%
19%
29%
33%
29%
10%
52%
38%
24%
19%
38%
33%
38%
48%
29%
10%
14%
24%
57%
71%
38%
43%
19%
43%
24%
38%
62%
76%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Fuel cost
Fuel mileage
Infrastructure cost
Maintenance issues
Reliability
Cold weather performance
Adequate/dependable fuel supply
Fuel quality
Engine warranty
NOx emissions
Lack of information
Major deterrent Minor deterrent Not a deterrent
Reported Problems with Biodiesel
7
5
4
5
3
2
9
7
5
8
7
5
7
6
15
12
10
10
14
13
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Fuel cost
Fuel mileage
Maintenance
Reliability
Cold weather performance
Fuel quality
Adequate/dependable fuel supply
Major problem Minor problem No greater problem
Deterrents for Agencies Not Using
Biodiesel
25
10
30
28
14
14
17
38
24
9
18
11
15
6
10
18
17
16
5
12
11
13
7
16
12
10
9
9
8
7
7
11
15
13
16
9
9
14
14
14
7
13
21
11
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Fuel cost
Fuel mileage
Infrastructure cost
Maintenance issues
Reliability
Cold weather performance
Fuel quality
Adequate/dependable fuel supply
Engine warranty
NOx emissions
Lack of information
Major deterrent Minor deterrent Not a deterrent Don't know
Reasons for Adopting E85
1
2
3
1
2
6
4
3
4
4
4
1
1
1
3
2
3
3
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Reducing emissions
Energy dependency concerns
Desire to utilize local resources and products
Political directives
Improving public perception
Positive performance impacts of the fuel
Fuel cost savings
Major reason Minor reason Not a reason
Deterrents before Adoption of E85
2
2
2
2
1
4
2
1
3
4
3
1
4
2
5
1
2
1
2
4
2
1
5
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Fuel cost
Fuel mileage
Infrastructure cost
Maintenance issues
Reliability
Adequate and dependable fuel …
Fuel quality
Lack of information about E85
Major deterrent Minor deterrent Not a deterrent
Reported Problems with E85
1
1
3
3
3
4
4
2
3
3
2
1
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Fuel cost
Maintenance
Reliability
Overall performance
Adequate/dependable fuel supply
Major problem Minor problem No greater problem
Deterrents for Agencies with Flex Fuel
Vehicles that do not use E85
6
7
8
5
6
6
11
6
6
5
3
3
5
5
5
5
6
3
6
7
7
5
3
5
5
5
1
5
6
5
5
6
5
6
5
5
3
6
3
3
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Fuel cost
Fuel mileage
Infrastructure cost
Maintenance
Reliability
Overall performance
Adequate/dependable fuel supply
Fuel quality
Vehicle availability
Lack of information about E85
Major deterrent Minor deterrent Not a deterrent Don't know
Reasons for Adopting Propane Given by
Agencies that Use the Fuel
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
1
2
2
3
3
1
1
1
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Reducing emissions
Energy dependency concerns
Desire to utilize local resources …
Political directives
Improving public perception
Positive performance impacts of …
Fuel cost savings
Maintenance cost savings
Major reason Minor reason Not a reason
Problems Reported with Using Propane
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
3
4
2
3
2
3
2
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Fuel cost
Dependable and secure fuel supply
Safety hazards
Limited vehicle range
Maintenance issues
Reliability
Lack of technical/mechanical …
Vehicle performance
Major problem Minor problem No greater problem
Deterrents from Adopting Propane by
Agencies that Do Not Use Propane
64%
42%
30%
73%
72%
49%
38%
43%
45%
33%
61%
23%
31%
15%
24%
14%
9%
10%
14%
25%
24%
19%
23%
14%
21%
19%
3%
15%
23%
5%
8%
18%
15%
9%
13%
16%
10%
20%
31%
18%
19%
33%
14%
10%
19%
23%
25%
24%
29%
15%
36%
19%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%100%
High capital cost of the vehicles
Vehicle availability
Fuel cost
Development and implementation of new fuel …
Modifications to maintenance facility
Adequate and dependable fuel supply
Safety hazards
Limited vehicle range
Maintenance issues
Reliability
Lack of technical/mechanical expertise for …
Vehicle performance
Lack of information about propane vehicles
Major deterrent Minor deterrent Not a deterrent Don't know
Reasons Given for Adopting CNG
8
4
3
3
6
5
1
6
5
2
3
4
5
1
1
4
1
5
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Reducing emissions
Energy dependency concerns
Desire to utilize local resources and products
Political directives
Improving public perception
Positive performance impacts of the fuel
Fuel cost savings
Major reason Minor reason Not a reason
Problems Reported with CNG Vehicles
1
2
1
1
3
2
5
5
3
5
9
6
8
3
5
6
5
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Fuel cost
Dependable/secure fuel supply
Safety hazards
Limited vehicle range
Maintenance issues
Reliability
Vehicle performance
Major problem Minor problem No greater problem
Deterrents for Adopting CNG by Agencies
Not Using CNG
47
28
21
60
58
37
29
28
37
20
20
19
12
16
10
2
5
9
14
23
12
19
19
17
3
15
21
2
4
13
14
8
8
12
14
23
16
19
26
12
12
18
20
19
21
27
25
17
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
High capital cost of the vehicles
Vehicle availability
Fuel cost
Development and implementation of new fuel …
Modifications to maintenance facility
Adequate and dependable fuel supply
Safety hazards
Limited vehicle range
Maintenance issues
Reliability
Vehicle performance
Lack of information about natural gas vehicles
Major deterrent Minor deterrent Not a deterrent Don't know
Reasons Given for Adopting Hybrids
16
11
10
16
19
8
10
9
6
5
1
4
1
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Reducing emissions
Energy dependency concerns
Political directives
Improving public perception
Fuel cost savings
Major reason Minor reason Not a reason
Deterrents for Hybrid Vehicles Considered
by Agencies that Use Hybrids
13
1
6
7
5
4
2
10
7
7
8
9
4
7
4
1
16
15
9
8
14
12
18
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
High capital cost of the vehicle
Vehicle availability
Depot modification costs
Cost to replace battery
Maintenance issues
Reliability
Vehicle performance
Lack of information about hybrids
Major deterrent Minor deterrent Not a deterrent
Problems Reported with Hybrids
3
3
3
4
2
6
17
19
15
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Maintenance
Reliability
Vehicle performance
Major problem Minor problem No greater problem
Deterrents for Adopting Hybrid Vehicles
by Agencies that Do Not Use Hybrids
53
30
32
45
30
27
28
22
8
17
12
8
14
15
13
13
2
11
13
1
6
7
11
20
5
8
9
14
16
16
14
11
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
High capital cost of the vehicle
Vehicle availability
Depot modification costs
Costs to replace battery
Maintenance issues
Reliability concerns
Vehicle performance
Lack of information
Major deterrent Minor deterrent Not a deterrent Don't know
Major Findings
• Reducing emissions most important for hybrid or CNG adopters
• Energy dependency concerns, improving public perception, and fuel cost savings more important reason for hybrid adoption than biodiesel
• Fuel cost was found to most likely be a deterrent for biodiesel. Many agencies did not know if fuel cost would be a problem for the alternative fuels.
• Fuel mileage was often considered a major deterrent for E85, and some agencies also considered it a major deterrent for biodiesel.
• For agencies that did not use biodiesel, infrastructure cost was commonly mentioned as a major deterrent.
Major Findings
• Concern with maintenance issues was major deterrent. Some agencies were also concerned about fuel quality for biodiesel.
• Lack of an adequate and dependable fuel supply was a major deterrent for all alternative fuels. This was listed as a major deterrent for about half of E85, propane, and natural gas non-users and two-thirds of biodiesel non-users.
• Lack of information was considered a major deterrent for about one fourth to one third of agencies.
• Overall performance was most likely to be considered a deterrent for hybrid vehicles.
• Vehicle availability was a major deterrent for 45% of agencies for hybrids and 42% of agencies for propane vehicles. It was considered less of a deterrent for E85 and was not a deterrent for biodiesel use.
Major Findings
• Vehicle cost was the greatest deterrent for use of hybrids
and also one of the most significant deterrents for
propane and natural gas use.
• Development and implementation of new fuel
infrastructure and modifications to maintenance facilities
were the greatest deterrents for use of propane and
natural gas.
• Safety hazards and limited vehicle range are also
considered major deterrents by a significant number of
agencies for adopting propane or natural gas.
Differences Between Users and Non-
Users• Larger agencies and those in urban areas more likely to
adopt (with the exception of E85 and propane)
• Users are more likely than non-users to identify benefits
• 71% of biodiesel users thought improving public perception was a
major benefit, compared to just 31% of non-users
• Non-users more likely than users to identify deterrents
• Deterrents may be real or perceived
Differences Between Urban and Rural
Transit Providers• Rural operators were less likely than urban operators to
be “very satisfied” with hybrids or CNG
• Adequate and dependable fuel supply and limited vehicle
range was a greater deterrent for rural operators
• Rural operators were less likely than urban operators to
identify benefits from using hybrids, CNG, or propane
• Some rural respondents indicated there would be no or
little benefit in using a hybrid vehicle in rural areas
Factors Affecting Adoption
• Agency characteristics
• Perceived benefits
• Perceived deterrent
Results from Binary Logit Model of AdoptionBiodiesel Hybrids
Odds Ratio
Vehicles (number) 1.067*** 1.016
Vehicle miles (thousand) 1.001* 1.000
Vehicle hours (thousand) 0.959** 0.994
Urban 74.698** 8.420*
Perceived benefits
Emissions 32.043** 1.343
Energy dependancy 0.322 0.146*
Local resources 0.525
Public perception 33.154*** 4.890*
Cost savings 0.525 5.113*
Deterrents
Fuel cost 0.718
Infrastructure cost/Depot modification
cost 0.119 0.090**
Fuel supply 0.061*
Lack of information 0.913
Fuel efficiency 0.775
Vehicle cost 0.635
n=86
*p < .10 **p < .05 ***p < .01
Factors Affecting Satisfaction with
Biodiesel• Agency characteristics
• Size, urban/rural
• Number of years using biodiesel
• Provision of training
• Change blend in winter months
• Percentage of fleet that uses biodiesel
Results from Ordered Logit Model of
Biodiesel SatisfactionOdds Ratio
Vehicles (number) 1.119**
Vehicle miles (thousand) 0.998
Vehicle hours (thousand) 0.983
Urban 0.059
Years of experience 0.662
Training 0.348
Change blend 6.000
Percentage of fleet 1.070**
n=20
*p < .10 **p < .05 ***p < .01
Conclusions
• Larger, urban agencies more likely to adopt
• Beliefs about benefits and deterrents influence adoption
• Beliefs about benefits of emissions reductions, improved public
perception, and cost savings are motivating factors
• Concerns about infrastructure costs and fuel supply influence
decision to adopt
• Transit agencies generally satisfied with alternative fuels
and hybrids, though some have reported problems
• Experiences of users can differ from the expectations or
perceptions of non-users
THANK YOU
Jeremy Mattson
Associate Research Fellow
Small Urban & Rural Transit Center
Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
North Dakota State University
www.surtc.org
701-231-5496
