The City of Culver City adopted CNG technology in 1996 in accordance with early South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) air quality mandates. Seeing it as the most viable and cost effective way to lower petroleum-based engine emissions, Culver City has expanded its CNG fleet from the initial purchase of 20 transit buses in 1998 to a current total of 105 light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and a transit fleet which operates on 100% CNG. These new vehicles replace the original CNG front-loading refuse trucks purchased in 2004, thus continuing our mission to operate a clean, green fleet of alternative fuel CNG vehicles, when available.
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At the time of application in March 2009, development of the technical and mechanical specifications for these vehicles was already complete. Upon authorization by City Council, preproduction meetings were held with the manufacturer, and equipment development was ongoing during the production phase.
Upon delivery, each vehicle underwent further inspections by our equipment maintenance technicians, and we resolved any issues with the manufacturer. The refuse vehicles were placed into service in January 2011. All vehicles are working well in their specific capacities for heavy-duty refuse equipment for the City of Culver City, and we have received positive comments from the operators of these vehicles. Our equipment maintenance technicians continue to prefer working on natural gas engines because they are cleaner, both internally and externally, than their diesel counterparts. CNG vehicles and equipment are also more electronically advanced. Mechanics are now technicians; the most important tool in their tool box is a laptop computer, with electronic diagnosis being the primary maintenance component.
4343 Duquesne Avenue
Culver City, CA 90232
Los Angeles County
Culver City originally submitted a proposal to purchase eight (8) heavy-duty CNG vehicles using Clean Transportation Funding from the MSRC, Local Government Match Program PA2009-07 on March 19, 2009. The City requested grant funding to offset the differential cost for the vehicle purchase, and to adhere to fleet rules for heavy-duty refuse vehicles in the region. The City identified the balance of local funds toward each vehicle from the City's Equipment Replacement Fund, which is managed by Transportation Department staff.
The Local Government Match Program provides an excellent opportunity for municipalities to replace their diesel-fueled heavy duty vehicles with alternative fuel replacements. This project is especially significant, as we have replaced the first, original clean-fuel CNG transit buses in our fleet with the newest, most advanced technology CNG engines available. Purchases of alternative fuel heavy-duty vehicles used for refuse collection and other Public Works operations further enhance emission reductions in the region. We are realizing significant GHG reductions through the service provided by these vehicles, as well as NOx and PM-10 over their service life. We believe Culver City's project is an excellent example of the feasibility of clean engine operations aimed at reducing air pollution emissions to improve air quality.
Utilizing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved calculation methodology, emission reductions for the CNG powered refuse trucks were realized by comparing the emissions from the newer 2010 CNG engines to their 2002 CNG engine predecessor for the same application. We have calculated a NOx emission reduction of 0.963 metric tons, and a PM10 emission reduction of 0.022 metric tons over the 8-year service life of the seven refuse vehicles. The City of Culver City's mission to remain on the CNG path continues to benefit the community.
Autocar
Heil
Cummins-Westport