Maryland converts snowplows to biodiesel

In Maryland, state highway officials said that they would convert snowplows to a B5 blend this season, and expect to convert their equipment to B20 in 2008-09.

In September, the state government unveiled a plan to increase purchases of hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles. Under the plan, 40% of state vehicle purchases will be flexfuel cars and trucks that run on biofuels, and to increase hybrids from 30 to 100 vehicles. The state has a 9100 vehicle fleet.

Hybrids were given a smaller purchasing target due to the high cost of the vehicles. The Maryland study on hybrid conversion projected that gasoline would have to reach $5.60 per gallon before hybrids were economically viable. Hybrids reach break-even at 200,000 miles, but Maryland state vehicles average 100,000 miles before they are replaced.

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