The Los Angeles Metro has retired the last diesel-fueled bus in its fleet, now only operating buses that run on alternative fuels.  The fleet is now comprised of 2,221 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, six hybrid-electric buses and one all-electric bus.

CNG, while not as clean as biogas or electricity, is still far better than diesel.  The switch to CNG means an 80 percent reduction in particulate emissions, and in a notoriously smoggy city like L.A., this will make a huge difference in air quality.  In addition to giving the city cleaner air to breathe, the switch also cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 300,000 pounds daily.

The L.A. Metro is the largest public transit bus operation in the country, with 400 million passengers and almost 1.5 billion miles logged per year.  This transition to cleaner buses has been a long one -- starting way back in 1993 when the Metro decided to only order alternative fuel vehicles -- but by making the switch, L.A. Metro has become the first major public transit agency in the world to convert entirely to alternative-fueled buses.

via Treehugger

Image via L.A. Metro

The rumor mill is buzzing with the possibility of Rolls-Royce entering the electric vehicle market with the ultimate luxury statement vehicle:  the limousine.  According to the UK's Daily Mail, the carmaker has been working on a plug-in limousine for two years, but has yet to make an official announcement.

Limousines aren't exactly priority number one for electrification when it comes to what vehicles are making the largest environmental impact.  There are very few limos on the road everyday compared to regular cars and large fleet vehicles, but for a carmaker whose lineup includes insanely expensive luxury vehicles, a limo might be an appropriate starting point.

Details are scarce, other than the fact that it could be released by 2012.  If the rumors turn into reality, we'll update you with all the details.

via Daily Mail