Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFV)

What is an Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV)? An AFV is a vehicle that operates on a fuel source other than the traditional oil based products of gasoline or diesel. Alternate fuels include sources such as electric, ethanol, hydrogen, methanol, natural gas, solar, liquefied petroleum gas, and biodiesel.

An AFV cuts down on emissions, decreases dependency on foreign oil sources, and are more environmentally friendly. AFV’s come in all shapes and sizes including a low speed, street legal vehicle called a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV).

University of South Carolina Housing is setting the example for sustainability on campus by being the first department to utilize an AFV in its fleet. Housing currently uses three NEV’s called GEM cars, which is manufactured, in the United States by Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) of North Dakota. The GEM is an electric vehicle that travels up to 25 mph and is street legal, and because of its size can go almost anywhere on campus. In addition to eliminating the need for foreign oil by using the GEM, it is also a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) so it is more environmentally friendly than a traditional gas powered vehicle. The operating costs of the GEM help to save money. An electric vehicle can cost as low as one cent per mile to operate as compared to as much as ten cents per mile to operate a conventional vehicle. Every traditional vehicle a GEM replaces will save the University thousands of dollars each year.

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University Housing has taken to first step to setting the example for the campus and other government agencies in SC to obtaining sustainability and protecting our environment. Now electric vehicles can be seen around campus along with some vehicles that can run on ethanol. The Carolina Shuttle uses buses that run on Bio-diesel and will soon be experimenting with a shuttle that runs on a fuel cell. Keep an eye out for one of Housing’s electric cars driving around campus

Fore more information visit the following sites below:

Clean Cities: www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/index.html
AFV Fleet Buyer’s Guide: www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/vbg/
Alternative Fuels Data Center: www.afdc.doe.gov
GEM Car: www.gemcar.com