The federal government set a goal for federal agencies to use plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as they become available at a reasonable cost, but the nuclear and renewable energy that ideally would power them can be controversial and expensive, and the price of batteries must come down and while gasoline prices must be high for the vehicles to makes sense, GAO has said.
Agencies may find that plug-ins are not even available to them, especially when the vehicles are initially introduced because the number available to the government may be limited, and most agencies have not made plans to incorporate plug-ins due to uncertainties about vehicle cost, performance, and infrastructure needs, according to GAO-09-493.
It said agencies must meet a number of requirements covering energy use and vehicle acquisition such as acquiring alternative fuel vehicles and reducing facility energy and petroleum consumption, but these sometimes conflict with one another.
GAO called on the Department of Energy to consult with the EPA, OMB and organizations representing federal fleet customers to propose legislative changes that would resolve conflicts and set priorities for the multiple requirements and goals with respect to reducing petroleum consumption, reducing emissions, managing costs, and acquiring advanced technology vehicles.
Further, it said Energy should develop guidance for when agencies consider acquiring plug-in vehicles, and called on GSA to consider providing information to agencies regarding total cost of ownership or life-cycle cost for vehicles in the same class.
