In June 2000, the Los Angeles City Council adopted a Clean Fuel Policy as part of its effort to reduce the emissions of toxic air pollutants generated by heavy-duty diesel fuels. In 2004, the City of Los Angeles, General Services Department ordered new street sweepers for the Bureau of Street Services. In keeping with its Clean Fuel Policy, alternative fuel street sweepers were purchased.
5029059.00
The CNG vehicles were purchased on a competitive bid basis. The City placed the order with Haaker Equpment company for 21 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing shortage only fifteen (15) sweepers could be obtained under the project purchase order.
The purpose of this project was to purchase twenty-one (21) compressed natural gas (CNG) street sweepers.
The street sweepers work satisfactorily and there has been no major reoccuring repair or maintenance problems. Initially, there were problems with high exhaust pipe temperatures that were resolved by wrapping the exhaust with a heat shield. There was also a problem with high temperatures inside the engine compartment. Replacing spark plugs more frequently addressed this problem. However, due to these safeguard, maintenance time is slightly higher than the sweeper's diesel counterparts. At the time of the report in January 2007, Maintenance crews were working on the CNG sweepers outside the maintenance building until the building is retrofit to compliant with CNG activites. Funds were being sought to upgrade the facility.
The City of Los Angeles General Services Department has placed into services, via the Bureau of Street Services, fifteen (15) compressed natural gas (CNG) Elgin Broom Bear street sweepers equipped with Cummins CNG 8.3 liter, C Series, Gas Plus, 250 horsepower engines. All 15 sweepers have been deployed within the City of Los Angeles and operate entirely within the South Coast Air Quality Management District's juridiction.