MYTHS REGARDING ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE DEMAND BY LIGHT-DUTY VEHICLEFLEETS

Public and private vehicle fleets have long been targeted as an ideal initial market for alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). We examine seven widely accepted hypotheses regarding the potential fleet market for AF Vs. The hypotheses are tested using data and information collected fro m focus group sessions, one-on-one interviews with fleet operators, an d a large two-part survey administered to over 2700 California fleets, as well as secondary sources. We find a large number of misconception s by both fleet operators and policymakers that lead to distorted expe ctations and ineffective policies regarding the purchase and use of AF Vs by fleets. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.