DUBLIN, OH - The City of Dublin's Division of Fleet Management recently added 44 new vehicles to the City fleet. Each vehicle has been converted to dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) powered vehicles, according to a release from the City.

The vehicles and conversions were funded in part by a U.S. Department of Energy grant administered through Clean Fuels Ohio. This same grant also will assist in the construction of a public CNG fueling station, which is slated to open in spring 2012. The City also will receive $275,000 from IGS Energy, which will provide natural gas to the CNG fueling facility.

"We are committed to providing the highest quality of service to our residents and business community today while continuing to plan for tomorrow's generation as a green and sustainable community," said Darryl Syler, fleet manager. "The City also is looking forward to alternative energy sources that reduce emissions, rely on domestic sources, and reduce energy costs to the City. With these 44 vehicles alone, the City anticipates saving at least $30,000 per year in fuel costs, as well as significant reductions in emissions."

The 44 new vehicles are:

• 41 - 2011 Ford pickup trucks

• 2 - 2011 Ford Fusions

• 1 - 2011 Ford Transit

As part of the conversion, the City's fleet technicians have been certified to repair these CNG vehicles as well as complete any required warranty work. Altech-Eco Corp. of Asheville, N.C., completed the technician certification training. Altech-Eco completed more than 35 of the vehicle conversions, and the remainder was completed by the City's fleet technicians, the release stated.

Fleet Management is an ASE Blue Seal shop with six ASE Master Certified Technicians.

Syler, who is an advisory board member for Government Fleet magazine, was appointed as fleet manager for the City of Dublin in September 2011. Previously, he was fleet maintenance manager for the City of Little Rock, Ark.