by Michael Arny and Betsy Braun — Mobile device applications (apps) are being developed in just about every area one can think of to provide people with quick access to information via their mobile devices. Now Leonardo Academy is providing a free app for alternative fuel vehicle users that identifies the geographic locations of alternative fuel stations all across the U.S. Its Cleaner and Greener® Fuels App is a practical tool not only for individuals but for fleet owners, green companies promoting use of alternative fuels for staff commuting and business travel, LEED® program participants, car rental companies, fueling stations, fuel providers and distributors, and alternative fuel vehicle manufacturers, retailers and service providers.
So how does the app work?
This app uses the smart phone geo-positioning feature to show you the locations of the nearest fueling stations that provide the alternative fuel you are looking for. You set the radius of the app’s search and the app does the rest. The app shows you a map of where the nearby stations are located. The app includes fueling stations all across the U.S. that provide these alternative fuels: electricity, compressed natural gas (CNG), biodiesel, liquefied natural gas (LNG), E85, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or propane) and hydrogen.
Where does the fueling data come from?
Currently, the app identifies over 9,500 active alternative fuel stations throughout the country. The base data came from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) and the app includes a user input system to keep the information accurate and up to date.
Use the app to encourage use of alternative fuel vehicles by building occupants.
This app reduces the “where can I find my alternative fuel?” barrier to consumers. Increased use of alternative fuel vehicles is a good facility management goal for all buildings. For facility managers of buildings that are participating in the USGBC LEED-EB: O&M rating system program, distributing this app to building occupants is one more way to encourage the use of alternative fuel vehicles by building occupants. Increased use of alternative fuel vehicles helps a building earn points under the LEED-EB O&M Sustainable Sites Credit 4 (SSc4), Alternative Commuting Transportation.
The purpose of SSc4 is to reduce pollution and land development impacts from automobile use for commuting, and recognizes the use of alternative fuel vehicles by building occupants as one of the criterion. This LEED credit requires actual use of reduced emissions modes of commuting like alternative fuel vehicles, so building managers need to encourage their use.
How many alternative fuel vehicles are already out on the road?
According to the AFDC, there were over 850,000 alternative fuel vehicles driven on U.S. roads in 2011, a number which will certainly increase in the near future as more people are seeking to reduce dependency on conventional fossil fuels. Cleaner and Greener® Fuels supply these drivers with directions to fuel stations across the country, as well as other helpful information such as access restrictions, blend types, payment methods accepted, and web links, when available. This free app is another resource for facility managers and building owners to promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles by building occupants. It can be downloaded from both the iTunes App Store, the Android Market and on the Cleaner and Greener® web site.