Fleet Certification Process
The Ohio Green Fleets program is designed to significantly improve the environmental performance of public and private fleets. The program consists of three core components:
- Direct consultation with fleet managers to develop plans tailored to specific needs
- Hands-on support with implementation, including seeking grant funding
- Recognition of environmental leaders through a 5 star rating system based on reductions in emissions and improved fuel efficiency
Becoming certified as an Ohio Green Fleet is an easy way to promote your environmental performance. Certified Ohio Green Fleets receive public recognition and the reliable branding associated with the Ohio Green Fleets program.
If you are just getting started greening your fleet or would like more information on enrolling in the Ohio Green Fleets program, please Start Your Partnership»
Eligible Vehicle Types
The following vehicles are eligible for Ohio Green Fleet certification: Buses, medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks, locomotives, construction equipment and cargo handling vehicles.
Light-duty commercial and passenger vehicles also are eligible. At this time, the Ohio Green Fleets program does not include vehicles involved in agricultural operations, mining, or marine vessels.
Emissions Targeted for Reduction and Evaluated
OGF will measure reductions in four specific emissions:
- Fine Particulate Matter – 2.5 Microns (PM2.5)
- Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
PM2.5 was selected because 27 of Ohio’s 88 counties are in non-attainment for this federal criteria pollutant. Ohio has the highest level of PM2.5 pollution per square mile of any Midwestern state. NOx and VOCs were chosen because both are components of ground-level ozone. 36 Ohio counties are in non-attainment status for ozone. Carbon dioxide was chosen because it is the primary emissions culprit of climate change. In order to estimate reductions in these emissions with reasonable accuracy, OGF will need to utilize emissions data based on testing from the USEPA, California Air Resources Board (CARB), or U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). For this purpose OGF will recognize emissions reduction equipment that is EPA or CARB “verified.” For cleaner fuels, the program will consider testing from EPA, CARB, and/or DOE’s national energy laboratories such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Required Fleet Data
Fleets interested in being considered for Ohio Green Fleet designation must submit specific data that is applicable to their fleet operations. Specific data required is listed on the Fleet Data Spreadsheet. Data must be provided in Microsoft Excel format using this tool.
Important: Please consult with Clean Fuels Ohio staff before submitting data to us. The specific information needed and level of details will depend on the size of your fleet, mix of vehicle and engine types, and the emissions reduction strategies that the fleet is using. In some cases, we may not need all types and specificity of data indicated on the Fleet Data Spreadsheet.
Data Evaluation
Calculating Baseline Emissions
OGF will use the supplied data to establish emissions baselines for vehicles and fleets. These baselines will be based on emissions factors from the EPA Quantifier tool (or other tool, if light duty vehicles) for each vehicle or vehicle type in the fleet multiplied by fuel consumed and miles or hours used. If a fleet has taken actions already (e.g. installed aftermarket diesel particulate filters or other devises in some vehicles) we will not include the reductions achieved in the baselines. Baseline emissions will assume use of fuel required by regulation (e.g. ULSD for on-road diesel vehicles). If your fleet uses cleaner fuels or lower emitting vehicles, the baseline for your fleet will assume use of standard fuels and typical vehicles. The emissions baseline will cover all vehicles in your fleet expressed in tons per year for each of the four pollutants of concern for OGF.
Calculating Emissions Reduced
After completing the baseline for each fleet and each emission, OGF will calculate the emission reduction impacts of the various (individual or multiple) emission reduction strategies that your fleet employs. The result will be a new set of emissions numbers for each pollutant of concern for the entire fleet. Clean Fuels Ohio and its partners will evaluate diesel fleet emissions reductions using government data and tools. Tools and data used to estimate emissions reductions will vary based on types of vehicles . For example, different tools and data sets will be used to evaluate medium to heavy-duty diesels compared with light duty vehicles. Again, for emissions reduction equipment, only EPA or CARB verified technologies will be considered.
We will evaluate light duty vehicles emissions reductions based on USEPA’s certified emissions levels for each year, make and model. Fleets can get emissions reduction credit for acquiring vehicles that achieve lower emissions levels (and fuel consumption) compared with a typical or average emission level for that vehicle class or type of application. For example, replacing typical midsize or SUV passenger vehicles with compacts or hybrids that achieve lower certified emission levels would earn emissions reduction points.
Scoring, Designation Decisions, and Levels of Recognition
OGF will use a scoring system to determine whether and at what level each fleet qualifies for an Ohio Green Fleet designation. The scoring system is designed to measure and recognize actual performance in reducing emissions based on whatever reduction strategies are chosen.
Scoring/Points System
Percentage Emissions Reductions
Diesel fleets will earn one point for each percentage of reduction of PM2.5, NOx, and CO2. Reductions of VOCs will earn 1/10 of a point per percent. Gasoline fleets will earn one point per percent reduction for each of the four emissions. Fleets that include gasoline and diesel vehicles will earn points based on proportionate reductions.
Percentage Fuel Use and Petroleum Use Reductions
The fleet will earn an additional ½ point for each percentage reduction in overall fuel consumption and/or an additional ½ point for each percentage reduction in overall petroleum fuel consumption. Fleets using bio-based lubricants for all (or most) vehicles can earn one additional point.
Designation Criteria
OGF will add points from all five factors that account for reductions in the four emissions of concern, total fuel and total petroleum reduction, and use of advanced technologies to get a cumulative point total. This point total will be used to determine whether a fleet qualifies for designation as an “Ohio Green Fleet” and what level of designation, one, three or five stars, has been earned.
- One-Star Ohio Green Fleets – at least 40 total points
- Three-Star Ohio Green Fleets – at least 80 total points
- Five-Star Ohio Green Fleets – at least 120 total points
Read certified Ohio Green Fleets success stories»
The City of Columbus uses alternative fuel vehicles to save money and improve air quality.










