Fleet Operations is dramatically and rapidly expanding the use of alternatively-fueled vehicles in the Detroit Edison and MichCon fleet.
Biodiesel
|
We began fueling Detroit Edison and MichCon diesel fleet vehicles with a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% conventional diesel fuel in May 2008. All 800 diesel vehicles in Michigan - including pickups, construction equipment, bucket trucks, stake trucks and other light-duty vehicles - will be using the new blend by mid-year 2008. Using biodiesel fuel to power our vehicles provides a win-win for the company and the environment. We are using a recyclable resource and reducing emissions at the same time. |
Biodiesel provides many benefits.
- It's a renewable fuel and reduces our reliance on foreign oil.
- Odors, carbon monoxide, sulfates and sulfur oxides, particulate emissions, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are all reduced compared to diesel fuel.
- Biodiesel contains microbes that aid in cleaning the fuel supply lines, resulting in less engine wear and maintenance.
- Using biodiesel as vehicle fuel puts to good use a material that might otherwise require disposal.
Our supplier for the biodiesel blend is RKA, a Michigan-based, MWBE-certified supplier.
Hybrids
Older Detroit Edison and MichCon supervisor vehicles are being steadily replaced with Hybrid Ford Escapes. These vehicles extend our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment by reducing our reliance on gasoline and reducing CO2 emissions.
Detroit Edison's field operations will soon begin using a hybrid lift bucket truck, which can operate for up to 4 hours without running the diesel engine. Using only the electric lift will result in significant reduction of noise and pollution in residential neighborhoods.
Other Technology
We continue to support the advancement of fuel cell technology for both energy storage and transportation use at our Hydrogen Technology Park in Southfield, Michigan. Detroit Edison has also, in the past, maintained a fleet of electric vehicles through cooperative ventures with Ford and GM.
DTE Energy also maintains a fleet of 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, used extensively in the metro Detroit/Ann Arbor service territories and in the western regions of the state. We own, operate and maintain twelve publicly accessible CNG fueling sites in these same areas.
Recognition from the Industry
According to a Free Press news article, "Wayne County and DTE Energy are helping to lead the way in Michigan toward greater energy independence and a smaller carbon footprint through their use of cleaner-burning biodiesel blends," said Joe Jobe, CEO of the biodiesel board.
