Transportation

NREL's transportation infrastructure and programs are designed to significantly reduce petroleum use campuswide.

NREL's fleet vehicle performance and history are compared to the Fiscal Year 2005 baseline. In 2020, NREL's fleet included 33 E-85 vehicles, zero compressed natural gas vehicles, zero gas hybrid vehicles, two gasoline vehicles, and nine diesel vehicles.

Fleet Performance: Fiscal Year 2021

This infographic shows NREL's FY 2020 fleet performance and fleet vehicle history compared to baseline FY 2005 and FY 2021. Electricity use was at zero in 2005 and increased to 63 gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) in 2021. In baseline 2005, the fleet used 6,521 gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) of E-85, in 2021 the fleet used 8,669 GGE of E-85. In baseline 2005, the fleet used 5,674 GGE of unleaded gasoline, in 2021 the fleet used 2,583 GGE of unleaded gasoline. In baseline 2005, the fleet used 2,036 GGE of diesel, in 2021 the fleet used 2,744 GGE of diesel. In 2021, motor equipment used 8,676 gallons of diesel, 640 gallons of gasoline, 398 gallons of liquefied petroleum gas, and 13 gallons of electricity.

Fleet Reduction and Alternative Fuel Vehicles

NREL makes every effort to right-size its vehicle fleet. NREL uses alternative fuel vehicles whenever possible, including those fueled by E-85 fuel (85% ethanol) and hybrid vehicles.

Alternative Transportation

NREL encourages staff to use alternative transportation when commuting to work and moving between facilities by providing:

Free access to Regional Transportation District (RTD) public transportation with EcoPasses, which include unlimited regional, local, light rail, and SkyRide service to and from the Denver International Airport for NREL employees

RTD bus stops located at two of NREL's South Table Mountain campus entrances

Monthly vanpool vouchers for employees

A regional rideshare matching service

Electric vehicle charging stations in the main employee parking garage

Conveniently located bicycle racks, lockers, bicycle repair stations, and showers

Campus infrastructure that prioritizes pedestrian and bicycle travel.

Photo of the light rail in the foreground and NRELs South Table Mountain campus in the background.

Parking and Shuttles

Incentive parking spaces are provided for high-occupancy vehicles such as carpools and vanpools at the parking garage and near other NREL buildings, where feasible.

Alternative-fuel shuttles transport staff to and from bus stops and local RTD hubs. Shuttles also transport staff to NREL facilities, reducing the amount of single-occupant vehicle trips throughout the day.

Telecommuting and Alternative Work Schedules

Staff can participate in both NREL's telecommuting and alternative work schedule programs, reducing the number of days staff members commute to the laboratory. More than a quarter of NREL staff telecommutes at least 1 day per week, and more than a third of NREL staff work an alternative work schedule.

Teleconferencing and videoconferencing capabilities are available to all staff, reducing the need to travel to meetings. This reduces not only the number of cars on the road but also the number of airline tickets purchased.