Customer Service: 503-823-7770
GENERAL INFORMATION: 503-823-7404
Fleet Efficiency
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Water Bureau Fuel Pump The bureau tracks fuel use for all of its fleet.
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Fueling a Prius The Water Bureau owns many hybrids and purchases high efficiency vehicles where possible.
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Fleet at Work Water Bureau Maintenance and Construction crews and a bureau construction vehicle.
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Fleet Vehicles Water Bureau dump trucks use automatic engine coolant heaters to reduce idling.
The Water Bureau has a diverse fleet of over 400 vehicles including large dump trucks, service trucks, pickups, work vans, backhoes, excavators, passenger vehicles (including hybrids), and an electric Nissan Leaf. These vehicles are necessary to operate and maintain the water system.
The bureau aims to use the following practices to achieve a more sustainable fleet:
- Tracks fuel use and mileage
- Purchases the most efficient vehicles where feasible (including hybrids and electric vehicles)
- Installs accessory equipment to reduce idling on trucks
- Offers efficient pool vehicles to bureau staff
- Encourages fuel-efficient driving practices
- Promotes the City of Portland’s Idle Reduction Policy
- Uses Oregon biodiesel as part of the fleet fuel mix
- Uses unleaded gasoline containing 10 percent ethanol to comply with the Oregon Renewable Fuel Standard
The bureau has identified the following goals for average vehicle class efficiency (miles per gallon) of four vehicle classes by 2017:
| Vehicle Class | Average MPG Goal by Vehicle Class (2017) |
| Heavy Duty Trucks | 6 MPG |
| Light Duty Trucks | 11 MPG |
| SUVs | 19 MPG |
| Sedans, Wagons & Minivans | 26 MPG |