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Since the early 1980s, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) supported projects to evaluate the benefits of AFVs. These efforts focused on relieving some of the uncertainties surrounding the use of alternative fuels in motor vehicles. In 1989, NYSERDA, under the guidance of the State's Alternative Fuel Vehicle Coordinating Council, greatly expanded the State's exploration of alternative fuels by initiating the Alternative Fuels for Vehicles Fleet Demonstration Program (AFV-FDP). The objective of the AFV-FDP was to place large numbers of AFVs in service in state, municipal and private fleets to provide “real-world” answers to the questions about their benefits. The AFV-FDP was implemented recognizing two possible conflicting needs (1) to act quickly to meet increasingly stringent emission standards, and (2) to resolve uncertainties concerning the air quality benefits achievable using alternative fuels.