New York State Thruway Authority
Selected Aspects of Alternative
Fuel Vehicles:
Purchases and Fueling (Issued 9/7/12)
Purpose
To determine whether the New York State Thruway Authority (Authority) purchased alternative
fuel vehicles in compliance with Executive Order 111 and used alternative fuels in these vehicles
to obtain the intended benefits. This audit covers the period January 1, 2006 through September
30, 2011.
Background
Executive Order 111 (Order) requires most State agencies and State public authorities (including
the Authority) to shift purchases of light-duty vehicles to include alternative fuel vehicles. Starting
in 2005, 50 percent of all new light-duty vehicle purchases were required to be alternative fuel,
increasing to 100 percent in 2010. Between January 1, 2006 and June 6, 2011, the Authority
purchased 731 light-duty vehicles, including 594 alternative fuel vehicles.
Key Findings
- The Authority was not in compliance with the Order in 2006. It was in compliance from 2007 through 2011.
- The Authority has not developed any policy or given guidance to its employees on when to use alternative fuel E-85 in its vehicles. As a result, fuel selection is driven by employee choice rather than Authority direction. For the three divisions we tested, Authority employees at locations with E-85 pumps used E-85 between 30 percent and 60 percent of the time.
Key Recommendations
- Develop a policy based on a formal analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of different fuels, consistent with Authority priorities and available resources.
- Provide guidance to Authority employees regarding the use of E-85 in the Authority's alternative fuel vehicles.
Link to full audit report (2011-S-15)
Other Related Audits/Reports of Interest
New York State Thruway Authority: Vehicle Acquisition, Use and Disposition Report 2006-S-119
State Government Accountability Contact Information:
Audit Director: Carmen Maldonado
Phone:(212) 417-5200; Email: StateGovernmentAccountability@osc.state.ny.us
Address: Office of the State Comptroller; Division of State Government Accountability; 110 State Street, 11th Floor; Albany, NY 12236