• 15,000th bi-fuel vehicle delivered to Department of Energy
• Executive Order 13149 requires federal fleets to reduce petroleum consumption 20 percent by 2005
• High pump prices have more people looking at natural gas and propane as alternatives

DEARBORN, Mich., June 26, 2000 -- Ford Motor Company announced a major milestone in the sale of alternative fuel vehicles today, as the 15,000th bi-fuel vehicle rolled off the line. The vehicle is a bi-fuel natural gas F-150 pickup truck and will be delivered to the Department of Energy.

Thomas J. Gross, U.S. Department of Energy deputy assistant secretary, accepted delivery of the vehicle from Les Grey, assistant commissioner, U.S. General Service Administration.

"The Department of Energy and GSA have shown exceptional leadership in purchasing and using alternative fuel vehicles," said Lee Oliphant, Ford Government Fleet Sales manager. "It is only appropriate that the delivery of the 15,000th bi-fuel vehicle is to the U.S. General Services Administration and the Department of Energy."

Since 1996 the GSA, which orders equipment and supplies for a wide range of U.S. government agencies including the Department of Energy, has purchased or leased more than 4000 bi-fuel natural gas or propane vehicles from Ford

The bi-fuel propane (LPG) and natural gas trucks are built at Ford's Ontario Truck Plant in Oakville, Ontario and then shipped to GFI Control Systems, Inc. in Cambridge, ON for installation of alternative fuel tanks and fuel systems.

The use of alternative fuel vehicles by federal agencies is expected to grow significantly over the next five years. Under a new Executive Order (E.O. 13149), federal agencies with a fleet of 20 or more vehicles must develop a strategy to lower its annual petroleum consumption by at least 20 percent by 2005 compared to 1999 fuel consumption.