Federal Express Successfully Operates Methanol Van

Clean Fleet M-85 Major Findings: The ozone-forming potential of M-85 was about 59% less than that of gasoline. From a fleet perspective, infrastructure requirements for using M-85 are limited to the need to use methanol compatible materials in fuel storage and dispensing equipment. No modifications were required for van garaging facilities. The driving range of the M-85 vans was 57% of the gasoline vans or 173 miles -- the furthest driving range of the alternative fuels demonstrated and compatible with urban fleet operations. Estimated costs for a fleet of 50 M-85 vans in 1996 ranged from 38.3 to 44.7 cents per mile, depending on the price of methanol. Today, methanol is selling at or below the lower baseline price. VALUE OF FLEXIBLE FUEL VEHICLES, THE DENVER OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION RECENTLY SOLD ALL TEN FFVS THEY OFFERED FOR SALE AND RECEIVED 107% OF THE ESTABLISHED FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR THE CARS. AND FOR A FLEET OPERATOR, THE ABILITY TO SELL A USED CAR FOR A GOOD PRICE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

In 1992, the Methanol Institute joined a unique public-private demonstration project to put alternative fuel vehicles into daily commercial service in the Federal Express package delivery fleet in the Los Angeles basin. Through the "CleanFleet" program, five alternative fuels were tested in 84 panel vans, including 20 Ford vans fueled with "M-85" -- a blend of 85% methanol and 15% gasoline.

The goal of the two-year demonstration was to evaluate the operational, emissions and economic capabilities of various alternative fuels in a "real world" commercial application.

The Ford vehicles were gasoline vans modified as flexible fuel vehicles, capable of operating on any mixture of methanol and gasoline -- from 85% methanol to 100% gasoline. The M-85 vans were fueled from a 4,000-gallon, above-ground, vaulted tank installed at the FedEx facility in Santa Ana. Since methanol is a liquid fuel similar to gasoline, no modifications had to be made to the vehicle garage and maintenance facilities.

The methanol vans performed extremely well, with the highest vehicle availability and driver use, and the lowest number of repair order days per 100 service days of the alternative fuels demonstrated. When drivers were asked if they were able to meet their regular schedule with the alternative fuel vehicles, fully 96% said yes to M-85, the strongest positive response. In fact, more than half of the M-85 drivers said they would consider driving a methanol vehicle for their personal car.

For More Information: The CleanFleet report is available on-line at "http://www.afdc.doe.gov" or from the U.S. DOE's Office of Scientific and Technical Information at 1-615-576-1301. Or contact the Methanol Institute at (202) 467-5050 or MI@methanol.org.