National Parks Initiative

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) partners with the National Park Service (NPS) through the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative. The initiative supports transportation projects that educate park visitors on the benefits of shifting to affordable, domestic alternative fuels, advanced vehicles, and fuel-saving technologies and strategies. Since 2010, VTO and Clean Cities coalitions have partnered with NPS on 35 projects to put alternative fuel and fuel-efficient vehicles on the road, reduce vehicle idling, and improve vehicle efficiency. These actions support and coincide with NPS's efforts to reduce vehicle congestion, air pollution, and resource degradation, and to preserve the long-term quality of the parks.

Clean Cities and National Park Service logos

Yellowstone National Park

Old Faithful is a famous geyser attraction in Yellowstone known for its hot-water eruptions on a consistent schedule. Courtesy of NPS


In 2014, Yellowstone National Park acquired a plug-in electric vehicle and installed publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations. The project supports a broader effort to expand clean transportation options within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The park has already added an electric utility vehicle, hybrid electric vehicles, and a hybrid electric bus to its fleet in 2011. With help from the Yellowstone-Teton Clean Energy Coalition, the park also enhanced public outreach for idle reduction efforts.

See how the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative supports parks transportation projects.

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