The university’s vehicle fleet includes a wide variety of vehicle types to help staff, faculty, and students move across and off campus. While the fleet contributes a comparatively small amount to the university’s annual carbon emissions, the vehicles themselves are a visible emission source and can serve as an educational tool for emission reductions.
While the university fleet consists of about 900 vehicles, the 47 Campus Area Bus Service (CABS) vehicles utilize over one-third of the total annual fleet fuel use. As a result, the university has focused on transitioning the CABS vehicles from traditional diesel fuel to cleaner-burning compressed natural gas (CNG). That full transition is on pace for completion by the end of calendar year 2027.
In addition to the focus on CABS, the university continues to right-size the vehicle fleet to meet updated transportation needs as well as transition vehicles to alternative fuels as more models become available in the marketplace, including electric. In total, 20.1% of the university fleet currently runs on alternative fuel (CNG, electric or hybrid).
Achievements and initiatives
3.2% decrease in university fleet carbon emissions per 1,000 miles driven since 2016
2024 Fleet emissions: 1.238 metric tons of CO2e per thousand miles traveled
The university continues to transition CABS vehicles to alternative fuels, while transitioning other vehicles to alternative fuel sources. 20.1% of university fleet vehicles now run on electric/alternative fuel.
The Ohio State University's Columbus campus has been awarded $300,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program for its project, “Protecting Vulnerable Roadway Users: A Multimodal Safety Plan.”
Resources
Electric charging stations available for university community use at Ohio State’s Columbus and regional campuses
Transportation and Traffic Management Sustainability
Ohio State University Fleet Policy (including anti-idling)
Buckeye Bike Hub, which offers bicycle repair and cycling supplies as well as educational clinics about bike maintenance, cycling skills and bike safety for Ohio State students, faculty and staff