Freese and Nichols was contracted by the City of Wilson (City) to study the feasibility of replacing a portion of the City’s municipal fleet to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). This feasibility study evaluated the fueling patterns, including quantity, location and frequency of different vehicles across all departments. It then provided recommendations on which vehicles would be most beneficial to replace with CNG vehicles and further gave guidance on which make and model of vehicles to consider when replacing. Our team evaluated the existing vehicle maintenance facilities and gave recommendations on modifications required to bring these facilities up to current standards for maintaining CNG vehicles. This study also evaluated site locations, layouts and equipment sizing for the design and construction of a CNG fueling station that could appropriately fuel the recommended vehicles. Finally, this study did a financial analysis including the additional costs for the CNG vehicles, fueling station and maintenance facility upgrades against the fuel savings realized.
Pictured: Proposed site options; similar CNG equipment that would be used at the proposed station
