Countywide : County to Purchase 3 ‘Fuel-Flexible’ Cars
Ventura County will add three “fuel-flexible” methanol-powered station wagons to its vehicle fleet under a plan approved this week by the Board of Supervisors.
The new vehicles, which will cost $17,900 each, can use methanol, gasoline or a combination of the two, said Tom Womack, chief deputy director of the County General Services Agency.
Methanol is a wood-based fuel that creates less air pollution than gasoline.
The cars will have an unlimited range since they will not be dependent on the few service stations that carry methanol, Womack said.
The county now uses eight autos powered solely by methanol. These vehicles are limited to trips within a 150-mile radius so that drivers will not be stranded.
The supervisors approved a request by Peter S. Pedroff, director of the General Services Agency, to take part in other clean-air fuel programs, including those using compressed natural gas, butane and battery-powered vehicles.
Under the proposal, no county vehicle will cost more than 15% above the price of a conventional car.
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