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. :: .. AOL AL y g 20Ethanol ( E85 ) A renewable resource fuel . May be available for Because ethanol adsorbs water, it can only be stored purchase from breweries . Lower emissions than for a short time . This means we can only buy small gasoline . As powerful as a gasoline engine . amounts and may not get the best price . In fact, it Some cars can run on it right now with no may not be any cheaper than gasoline . Finally, it adjustments necessary (Ford Ranger, Taurus) . has higher emissions than other alternative fuels . Chapel Hill and UNC interested in Ethanol . Based on all the above information ( and the factors that are important - low emissions ; reliable , versatile vehicles ; regional collaboration) , it seems that CNG and CNG bi - fuel vehicles are the best option at this point . These vehicles have sufficient range , very low emissions , and a readily available and stable fuel supply . However, it should be that the supply and cost variables may be subject to change Also , CNG- fueled vehicles have already been partially funded in Chapel Hill and other nearby areas through earlier NCDAQ Mobile Source Emissions Reduction Grants , the 5 same - funding source the County is hoping to access . Ethanol could be a good option to explore further as part of the workgroup ' s intermediate goal if we can decide how to set up the refueling infrastructure and if we are willing to settle for only slightly reduced emissions . Electric vehicles should become a more viable option in the near future and should also . remain on our options shortlist . Proposed Plan : The N . C . Division of Air Quality ' s primary goal for the MSERG grants in fiscal year 2001 is to reduce nitorus oxides (NOx) by funding increased infrastructure for alternative fueled vehicles . The County ' s optimal goal may be replacing conventional vehicles that are already due for replacement with AFVs , where practical . As such, the following list is a compilation of vehicles identified with the Public Works Department which are scheduled for replacement in fiscal year 2001 and would be a candidate for AFV ' s . Each new vehicle would be either a dedicated CNG or bi - fiiel CNG/gasoline . In order to refuel these vehicles it would be necessary to also purchase and assemble a CNG re- fueling station at the Orange County Public Works office in Hillsborough . The County could enter an agreement with the Town of Chapel Hill to use their refueling center at the Chapel Hill public works office , and the Town has expressed an interest in such an arrangement , thereby enhancing both Town and County efficiency. This would provide a "northern Orange" and " southern Orange " distribution facility for CNG vehicles . As previously stated , providing such infrastructure is a stated goal for the MSERG grants this year, and a decision will be needed on pursuit of this arrangement ( along with any needed County matching funds) before the County submits its application for funding assistance to NCDAQ in December . The County has a computerized monitoring system in place that will enable staff to measure and track the fuel efficiency and cost-benefit of AFV ' s . Documentation for each of the replacement AFV ' s will allow the County to monitor and evaluate the vehicles (what are the maintenance costs , are the AFV ' s tougher on tires , what are the annual cost savings as opposed to emissiones reductions , for example) , and after an appropriate period of time , perform cost-benefit analysis on the AFV ' s versus conventional gasoline vehicles . These new AFV ' s , in particular the electric and gasoline hybrid suggested on the following page , would be a demonstration project for the County . As shown is the following text , we would propose pursuing a demonstration project with three different types of vehicles , consistent with the type of vehicles on the market and projected effectiveness . These would include four CNG vehicles , two CNG/gasoline hybrid vehicles , and two electric/gasoline hybrid vehicles .