Energy, environment and natural resources

Executive Order 12844: Federal Use of Alternative Fueled Vehicles

President: Bill Clinton

Directed federal agencies to accelerate purchases of alternative-fuel vehicles and coordinate fuel infrastructure; EO 13031 later replaced the order.

Status: Superseded. Is Executive Order 12844 still in effect? No. Executive Order 12844 was superseded. See Executive Order 13031: Federal Alternative Fueled Vehicle Leadership.

What does Executive Order 12844 do?

EO 12844 directed federal agencies to accelerate alternative-fuel vehicle purchases above the Energy Policy Act of 1992 targets for fiscal years 1993–1995, subject to funding and cost conditions. A 1994 GAO review found progress in federal purchases but said costs, benefits and refuelling access remained uncertain. EO 13031 superseded the order in 1996; later fleet requirements rest on separate authorities.

Administration position: The order said larger federal purchases could help create a market for alternative-fuel vehicles. That was the administration’s policy expectation, subject to funding and cost conditions.
SignedApril 21, 1993
Lead agenciesDepartment of Energy and General Services Administration
Fleet objective50 percent above 1993–1995 statutory acquisition requirements

Before and after

Before the order

Federal fleets already had alternative-fuel vehicle acquisition duties under energy and vehicle statutes.

After the order

Agencies received a higher conditional acquisition objective and coordinated infrastructure tasks until EO 13031 replaced the framework.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Federal agenciesDevelop acquisition plans and seek the higher vehicle objectiveFor fiscal years 1993–1995
Federal Fleet Conversion Task ForcePrepare a public conversion planWithin 90 days
Energy and GSACoordinate funding, incentives and refuelling supportDuring implementation

What happened next

EO 12844 signed.

GAO reported progress in acquisitions and unresolved questions about costs, benefits and refuelling infrastructure.

EO 13031 expressly superseded EO 12844.