Based on government reports, 28% of the total energy consumption of the United States is consumed in the transportation sector to move people and goods. With sustainability, carbon neutrality, and climate change appearing in the media on a regular basis, new transportation technologies are becoming more cost effective and energy efficient.

Often overlooked within an institutional environment are the vehicle fleets used to provide daily service to the campus community. Purdue Energy and Utilities is aligned with the Purdue University goal of student affordability and we are always looking into opportunities to reduce costs and increase operational efficiencies. This project is one example in which Energy and Utilities employ or partner with students, student interns, and professors on projects to evaluate our options. Part of those operational efficiencies may be gained from changing the existing fleet of conventionally fueled vehicles to electric or natural gas vehicles. The senior design team will create an analysis of cost and use of two automobiles that are four door, four person passenger vehicles and evaluate the options that may exist with alternatively fueled vehicles.