Electric and Natural Gas Cars Studied

Ventura County officials are considering expanding the county’s use of alternative-fuel vehicles to help improve the region’s air quality.

A committee that includes representatives of several county departments and agencies is exploring the use of vehicles that run on compressed natural gas or electricity, officials said.

The county, which has a fleet of about 1,000 vehicles, currently owns eight methanol-powered cars.

But large fluctuations in fuel prices, the limited number of methanol stations and other issues concerning engine wear have prompted officials to explore using vehicles that run on compressed natural gas.

That alternative also has its drawbacks. For one thing, vehicles that use compressed natural gas have a very limited mileage range.

Officials have also discovered that there are only two compressed natural gas fueling sites in the county, both in Oxnard. They are consulting with gas company officials, however, about providing the county with its own fueling station.

Meanwhile, the county’s General Services Agency has already ordered two compressed natural gas vehicles and will consider more purchases as the need arises, said Howard Rickard, deputy director of the agency.

Rickard said the task force will deliver its final recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding the use of alternative fuel vehicles in the fall.