New vehicle technology arrives at Dover

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Two new hybrid vehicles arrived June 22 at Dover Air Force Base.

These vehicles were obtained through the General Service Administration program, which rotates vehicles every five years. For fiscal year 2010, 436th Logistic Readiness Squadron received the two new hybrids after swapping out two older vehicles.

The vehicles will be placed in the U-drive fleet, which allows wing organizations to sign out vehicles when they are needed.

"They are greener and more fuel efficient," said 2nd Lt. Robert Honea III, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management flight commander. "We are excited to see this new technology coming to Dover. It will help us achieve our goals for fuel reduction."

With the advance of green culture the Department of Defense has mandated a two percent decrease in overall fossil fuel usage across all spectrums, be it ground vehicles or aircraft.

"What's nice about the hybrids is the operator of the vehicle won't know the difference unless they were to see the hybrid symbol on the side," said Lieutenant Honea. "We are working on getting flex fuel for our larger vehicles, and hybrids for our sedans. We are really looking forward to seeing what new technology comes along after the hybrids, be it hydrogen or fuel cells."

"But, these hybrids are the current standard and we should be seeing a lot more of them," said Senior Airman El Mehdi Jnah, 436th LRS vehicle management and analysis specialist. "The hybrids get 39 to 41 miles per gallon while driving in the city, which is outstanding when compared to an equivalent gasoline or flex fuel engine."

There should be two more hybrids arriving later this year, when the next batch of GSA vehicles are rotated out, which will give Dover a total of five hybrids, said Airman Jnah.

"Eventually our fleet will be both E85 and hybrids," said Lieutenant Honea. " It will take some time to get the fleet switched over, but when it does it will lower our need for fossil fuels and also increase our use of domestic fuel in the form of flex-fuel ethanol, which is not only good for the environment, but the economy as well."