First Year Results from the Federal Methanol Fleet at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory

This paper describes the first year's operation and results of the Federal Methanol Fleet activities at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL). The fleet consists of five 1984 methanol-fueled Chevrolet Citation sedans paired with five analogous gasoline-fueled Citations for comparison. Data are presented on fuel consumption, maintenance records, driver perceptions of operability and safety, and oil sample analyses. Drivers generally reported no significant differences in their perceptions of safety and operability between the methanol and gasoline vehicles. No major maintenance problems were encountered. Oil sample analyses revealed higher engine wear rates in the methanol vehicles, but not alarmingly high. It is concluded that the Federal Methanol Fleet operation at LBL has been highly successful during its first year of operation.