ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Andrews recently received environmentally friendly vehicles, capable of speeds of no more than 25 miles per hour.
The low-speed vehicles, white four door vehicles with a flat bed attached, were a part of Executive Order 13423, signed January 2007, mandating the use of LSV's to reduce overall petroleum consumption.
"To date, Andrews has 84 LSV authorizations with 59 LSVs assigned," said Master Sgt. Norma Killion, 316th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle fleet manager. An additional 25 LSVs are scheduled to be purchased by October.
The benefit of an LSV is reduced overall fossil fuel consumption, as executive orders mandate a 2 percent reduction from the fiscal year 2005 baseline of fuel consumed.
"LSVs procured by the Air Force are capable of using E85 ethanol (flex fuel) or alternate fuel use after traveling 1000 kilometers (621 miles)," Sergeant Killion said. "LSVs are an environmentally friendlier means of transportation. EO 13423 also directs the use of 100 percent alternative fuels in Air Force vehicles when appropriate."
"The benefit of having LSVs over golf carts or Gators is that there is better accountability of organizational vehicles," said Master Sgt. Bill Ingram, 316 LRS vehicle fleet manager. "The LSVs also address safety issues that golf carts and Gators do not. In golf carts and Gators seatbelts, roll bars and speedometers are not available as well as a cab for passengers."
Drivers should be aware of LSVs on the road as they do not respond the same as a conventional light duty vehicle. Acceleration and getting up to speed are accomplished at lower rates.
"You can't stomp on the gas and expect the vehicle to take off," said Sergeant Killion. "Merging into traffic should be done cautiously and with consideration of the oncoming vehicles speed."