Section 5040.210  Fuel Economy Standards

All new passenger automobiles purchased or leased by any State entity or used passenger automobiles obtained from Property Control (including inter-agency transfer) must be rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as meeting the minimum average fuel economy for the model year of the automobile, in miles per gallon, imposed upon manufacturers of vehicles pursuant to Title V of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act (15 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.) as now or hereafter amended.

a)         Exceptions:  Exceptions to the mileage standards set forth above may be authorized by the Department of Central Management Services. Acquisition of any statutorily excepted vehicles is allowable but a statement must accompany the acquisition request indicating why a more economical vehicle cannot fulfill the operational needs of the agency.

b)         Requests for Exceptions:  Requests for exceptions must be made on the Vehicle Acquisition Request form provided by DCMS and be signed by the executive head of the requesting agency.  Requests must fully describe the circumstances necessitating a non-compliant vehicle.

c)         Evaluation of Exception Request:  DCMS will review each exception request.  No exception will be granted unless it is clear from the agency request that a non-complaint vehicle is necessary in order to carry out the functions of the requesting agency.

d)         In response to an exception request, DCMS may suggest a more economical alternative to the agency head.  If the agency head can demonstrate that the alternate vehicle will not allow the agency to carry out its statutory functions, and that no other vehicles meeting the standards are available or could similarly carry out the agency's functions, an exception will be granted.

e)         Rental Vehicles:  Agency personnel renting vehicles from private firms are to utilize the most fuel efficient vehicle available from the rental firm that meets agency needs.

(Source:  Amended at 9 Ill. Reg. 13720, effective August 21, 1985)