North Texas Commission rolls out preferred parking program for alternative fuel vehicles

The North Texas Commission launched a free program to establish preferred parking for alternative fuel vehicles (AFV). This program provides North Texas businesses with signage designating parking spaces as “AFV-Preferred” as a way to incentivize individuals to drive alternative fuel vehicles and help improve regional air quality. The parking signs are the first phase in the NTC’s work to promote AFVs in North Texas.

“Texas is second only to California for number of alternative fuel vehicles on the roads. The AFV-Preferred Parking Program not only rewards those drivers, but also raises awareness of these vehicles and their ability to improve North Texas’ air quality,” said Robert Kent, Director of Public Policy for the North Texas Commission. “This grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments and Department of Energy allows businesses an opportunity to offer a customer incentive while at the same time helping clean our air.”

The North Texas Commission is offering hundreds of “AFV-Preferred” parking signs to our region’s businesses at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, there are a limited number of sign stands available. Businesses can contact Robert Kent at the North Texas Commission at robert@ntc-dfw.org or 972-621-0400. Businesses who wish to learn more about the parking program can attend one of the several “AFV-Preferred Parking Workshops” that the NTC will be hosting at various events across the North Texas region this spring. These events include:

• March 22, 1:00 p.m., Fort Worth Earth Party (Sundance Square Plaza)

• March 28, 4:30 p.m., Texas AltCar Conference & Expo (Irving Convention Center)

• March 29, 1:00 p.m., Texas AltCar Conference & Expo (Irving Convention Center)

• April 26, 1:00 p.m., Earth Day Texas (Fair Park)

• April 27, 1:00 p.m., Earth Day Texas (Fair Park)

Phase two of the program will include an interactive smartphone app and website for AFV drivers providing real-time information on AFV re-fueling stations and the location of businesses that offer preferred parking for AFVs.

Both the AFV-Preferred Parking Program and the forthcoming app and website are made possible through a grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Department of Energy. The North Texas Commission was awarded the $99,000 grant in late 2013.