Supporting Statement Part A

SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR FORM EIA-886
Annual Survey of Alternative Fueled Vehicles
OMB No. 1905-0191
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
requests approval for a three year extension to the Annual Survey of Alternative Fueled Vehicles,
Form EIA-886 (OMB No. 1905-0191).
Form EIA-886 is an annual survey that collects information on:
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The number and type of Alternative Fueled Vehicles (AFVs) and other advanced technology
vehicles that vehicle suppliers made available in the previous calendar year and plan to make
available in the following calendar year;
The number, type and geographic distribution of AFVs in use in the previous calendar year;
The amount and distribution of each type of Alternative Transportation Fuel (ATF)
consumed in the previous calendar year.

EIA-886 data are collected from suppliers and users of AFVs. EIA uses data from these groups
as a basis for estimating total AFV and ATF use in the U.S.
The objectives of the Annual Survey of Alternative Fueled Vehicles are to:
1. Comply with Section 503 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT92) that requires
EIA to report on specific aspects of alternative fueled vehicles and alternative
transportation fuels.
2. Satisfy public requests for information on AFVs and ATFs; and
3. Provide Congress with a measure of the extent to which the objectives of EPACT92
are being achieved.
Revisions from the previously approved Form EIA-886 are:
1. Retirements of AFVs in use: Section 2 Question 4 has been reduced from eight columns to
five for simplification and clarity with regard to method of disposition of vehicles.
2. Instructions: A section was added to the instructions (VII. Definitions) to provide the legal
definitions of Alternative Fuel and Alternative Fuel Vehicle as they pertain to this form.
Also, in various sections of the form and instructions, additional wording was added to
clarify terms such as “engine configuration” and “made available.”
The information collection proposed in this supporting statement has been reviewed in light of
applicable information quality guidelines. It has been determined that the information would be
collected, maintained, and used in a manner consistent with the OMB, DOE, and EIA
information quality guidelines.

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A. JUSTIFICATION
A-l. Legal Authority
The legal authority for this data collection effort is provided by the following provisions:
Section 13(b) of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93-275, (FEA Act),
(15 U.S.C. § 772 (b)) states:
"All persons owning or operating facilities on business premises who are engaged in any
phase of energy supply or major energy consumption shall make available to the
[Secretary] such information and periodic reports, records, documents, and other data
relating to the purposes of this Act, including full identification of all data and projections
as to source, time, and methodology of development, as the [Secretary] may prescribe by
regulation or order as necessary or appropriate for the proper exercise of functions under
this Act."
The functions of the FEA Act are set forth in Section 5(b) of same, (15 U.S.C. § 764 (b)), which
states that the [Secretary] shall, to the extent authorized by Section 5(a) of the FEA Act:
"...(2) assess the adequacy of energy resources to meet demands in the immediate and
longer range future for all sectors of the economy and for the general public;...
(4) develop plans and programs for dealing with energy production shortages;
(5) promote stability in energy prices to the consumer, promote free and open
competition in all aspects of the energy field, prevent unreasonable profits within the
various segments of the energy industry, and promote free enterprise;
(6) assure that energy programs are designed and implemented in a fair and efficient
manner so as to minimize hardship and inequity while assuring that the priority needs of
the Nation are met;... ”

As the authority for invoking Section 5(b) above, subsection 5(a) of the FEA Act (15 U.S.C. §
764 (a)) states:
"Subject to the provisions and procedures set forth in this Act, the [Secretary] shall be
responsible for such actions as are taken to assure that adequate provision is made to
meet the energy needs of the Nation. To that end, he shall make such plans and direct and
conduct such programs related to the production, conservation, use, control, distribution,
rationing, and allocation of all forms of energy as are appropriate in connection with only
those authorities or functions...
(3) otherwise specifically vested in the [Secretary] by the Congress."

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Authority for invoking Section 5(a)(3) of the FEA Act is provided in turn by Section 503(b)(2)
of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, Pub. L. No. 102-486 (EPACT92), (42 U.S.C. § 13253) which
charges the Secretary with responsibilities to estimate:
(1) the number of each type of alternative fueled vehicle likely to be in use is the United
States;
(2) the probable geographic distribution of such vehicles;
(3) the amount and distribution of each type of replacement fuel; and
(4) the greenhouse gas emissions likely to result from replacement fuel use.

A-2. Needs for and Uses of the Data
Section 503 of EPACT92 requires DOE/EIA to collect information on the supply of AFVs; the
geographic distribution of these vehicles; the amounts and types of replacement fuels consumed;
and the greenhouse gas emissions likely to result from replacement fuel usage. These data are
needed to determine if sufficient quantities of AFVs are available for purchase by Federal and
State agencies and fuel suppliers, and to provide Congress with a measure of the extent to which
the objectives of EPACT92 are being achieved. The data will serve as a market analysis tool for
Congress, Federal/State agencies, AFV suppliers, vehicle fleet managers, and other interested
organizations and persons. These data are also needed to satisfy numerous public requests for
detailed information on AFVs and ATFs (in particular, the number of AFVs distributed by State
as well as the amount and location of the ATFs being consumed).
EIA publishes summary information from the Form EIA-886 database in an annual report on
EIA’s website (www.eia.gov). This report covers historical and projected supplies of AFVs as
well as AFV usage by selected user groups and estimates of total U.S. AFV counts and U.S.
consumption of ATFs. These data provide baseline data for DOE's transportation sector energy
models. They also provide the energy consumption measures for alternative transportation fuels
in EIA’s State Energy Data System. For example, EIA's National Energy Modeling System
(NEMS) has a component model that forecasts transportation sector energy consumption and
provides a framework for AFV policy and technology analysis. The data obtained from Form
EIA-886 are used to improve the explanatory power of the NEMS Transportation Demand
Model by allowing for greater detail in AFV type and characteristics representation.
A-3. Efforts to Reduce Burden on Respondents
EIA has instituted a web-based data collection system for the Form EIA-886 that allows
respondents to submit data electronically. This reduces the respondents’ burden of completing
and mailing paper survey forms. A significant feature of the web-based system is that a
respondent’s form is pre-filled with certain data from the previous year, so that the respondent
needs only to verify and make updates, rather than keying in new data. The electronic system
also provides online instructions, drop-down menus, edits, and auto-populate features that
significantly reduce the time needed to complete the form. In addition, the system offers a bulk

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data upload option which allows the respondent to download an Excel spreadsheet that is
formatted to EIA-886 data requirements, populate the spreadsheet easily, and upload the
spreadsheet directly as their electronic submission. The web-based system then transfers that
data electronically to populate the data entry screens without the need to key data. This is
especially useful to respondents with large fleets in multiple states.
EIA encourages all its EIA-886 respondents to use the electronic system. During the 2009
survey cycle, 84% of respondents used it to report. The remaining respondents do not have
internet access and/or prefer to use another method such as facsimile or first class mail.
EIA has merged its data collection for Federal AFVs with that of other agencies. Federal
Agencies now report their EIA-886 data via the Federal Automotive Statistical Tool (FAST), a
multi-agency funded electronic reporting system developed to collect multiple data requirements
under EPACT92 and Executive Order 13149. FAST is a web-based system with many features
that reduce reporting time. FAST collapses three related data collections into one to
significantly reduce the burden on agencies. While Federal Agencies do not comprise a large
number of respondents, their reports take more time, on average, because of the large numbers of
AFVs and the scattering of data across agencies. Data from over 5,000 sub-agencies are
submitted to the FAST system and compiled to totals for the approximately 40 responding
agencies.
A-4A. Efforts to Identify Duplication
This duplication review indicates that while a few other surveys of AFVs are conducted,
including some under support from other parts of DOE, no other survey collects complete
historical or short-term forecasts of the types and quantities of AFVs made available by AFV
suppliers, nor collects the number, type, and geographical location of the AFVs along with the
consumption of alternative fuels by these vehicles. Many of the other surveys conducted are for
either a single geographic area or specific target audience such as Federal agencies.
Furthermore, response rates for these surveys are typically well below 50 percent. In contrast,
the current Form EIA-886 response rate for the 2009 survey year was 100 percent. There are
many reasons for the differences in response rates, but a principal one is the fact that EIA-886 is
the only mandatory survey of AFVs.
A-4B. Comparisons with Similar Data
Executive Order 13149 requires federal agencies with fleets of 20 or more vehicles to report to
the Department of Energy information on “acquisitions of AFVs and conventional vehicles,
consumption of alternative and petroleum fuels, and the average EPA combined fuel economy
rating of annual light-duty vehicle acquisitions.” The Department of Energy and the General
Services Administration developed FAST, an on-line tracking system for these data as well as
entire inventory counts, planned and projected acquisitions, and mileage details. In 2001, EIA
merged its data collection for Federal AFVs with this online system and Federal agencies now
report their EIA-886 data through this system.

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The DOE rulemaking, Alternative Fuel Transportation Program [10 CFR Part 490], requires that
fuel providers and State government (or State agency) fleets gradually acquire AFVs in certain
increasing percentages over time. The rulemaking also sets forth a credit program, establishes
reporting procedures, and sets forth enforcement procedures and provisions. In 2004, DOE
announced that, although potentially allowed by EPACT92, the rule would not apply to local
government and private fleets. The requirements apply only if a State government or fuel
provider: 1) owns, operates, leases, or controls at least 50 light duty vehicles (LDVs) within the
United States (excluding law enforcement vehicles, emergency motor vehicles and nonroad
motor vehicles) and; 2) 20 of those LDVs are used primarily within any
Consolidated/Metropolitan Statistical Area and; 3) those same 20 LDVs are centrally fueled, or
are capable of being centrally fueled. The term “centrally fueled” means that a refueling
infrastructure exists within reasonable traveling distance from the fleet. The void left by those
organizations that are not required to report to the DOE or whose vehicles are exempted would
make it cumbersome, expensive, and detrimental to the overall quality of the data to use the
rulemaking data and supplement it from other sources as a way to fulfill EPACT92’s mandates.
Data on fleets exempt from the rulemaking are needed to accurately estimate total AFVs in use
and ATF consumption and to satisfy many public requests for detailed information on AFVs and
ATFs , e.g., in determining where to locate a refueling facility. The Rulemaking only requires
reporting of vehicle acquisitions. It is difficult to determine vehicle inventory, as needed by EIA
to determine fuel consumption, from acquisitions data. However, to reduce respondent burden,
EIA’s electronic reporting system allows those subject to the rulemaking to submit the same data
for EIA-886 as long as it fits EIA criteria.
DOE’s Clean Cities program tracks usage of AFVs through an annual survey of the activities of
its designated coalitions. Designated coalitions cover only a portion of the U.S. In addition,
response rates are typically low and accuracy is not verifiable because respondents frequently
work on a voluntary basis.
A-5. Provisions for Reducing Burden on Small Business
The Annual Survey of Alternative Fueled Vehicles collects data from AFV suppliers and users of
AFVs. Most conversion companies (from the AFV suppliers) would be classified as small
businesses, but the number of conversion companies has declined in recent years. Also, the AFV
and ATF information will be collected from fleet operators, most of which are not categorized as
small business.
The small business response burden for this survey is minimal since most of the data requested
are reported for vehicle certification, warranty, and insurance purposes. Respondents are given
options concerning how Form EIA-886 data are to be submitted to EIA. Small businesses can
use the electronic data submission system that reduces reporting burden. For reporting planned
AFV supply amounts in the "following calendar year," respondents are instructed to provide
estimates based on available information at the time of report completion. This instruction will
reduce the small business’ reporting burden by not requiring it to apply the rigorous forecasting
methods that large businesses typically have at their disposal.

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A-6. Results of Collecting Data Less Frequently
Section 503(b)(2) of EPACT92 mandates the annual collection of the data. Due to the volatility
and rapidly changing nature of the AFV/ATF industry, it is important to monitor the progress of
AFV manufacturing and ATF consumption on an annual basis.
A-7. Special Circumstances
There are no special circumstances that would require the Annual Survey of Alternative Fueled
Vehicles to be conducted in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.5.
A-8. Summary of Consultations Outside the Agency
The EIA received no response to the April 14, 2010, (75 FR 19379) notice soliciting comments
on AFV data collection requirements mandated by the EPACT92.
A-9. Remuneration: No payment or gift will be given to respondents for completing the survey.
A-10. Provisions for Disclosure of Information
The information reported on Form EIA-886 will be protected and not disclosed to the public to
the extent that it satisfies the criteria for exemption under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA), 5 U.S.C. §552, the DOE regulations, 10 C.F.R. §1004.11, implementing the FOIA, and
the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. §1905.
The Federal Energy Administration Act requires EIA to provide company-specific data to other
Federal agencies when requested for official use. The information reported on this form may
also be made available, upon request, to another component of the Department of Energy (DOE);
to any Committee of Congress, the Government Accountability Office, or other Federal agencies
authorized by law to receive such information. A court of competent jurisdiction may obtain this
information in response to an order. The information may be used for any nonstatistical
purposes such as administrative, regulatory, law enforcement, or adjudicatory purposes.
Disclosure limitation procedures are applied to the statistical data published from EIA-886
survey regarding alternative fuel vehicles "planned to be made available in the following
calendar year." This ensures that the risk of disclosure of identifiable information is very small.
For all other data published from the Form EIA-886, disclosure limitation procedures are not
applied. Thus, there may be some statistics that are based on data from fewer than three
respondents, or that are dominated by data from one or two large respondents. In these cases, it
may be possible for a knowledgeable person to estimate the information reported by a specific
respondent.

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A-11. Justification for Sensitive Questions
No sensitive questions are asked on the Annual Survey of Alternative Fueled Vehicles.
A-12. Estimate of Respondent Burden Hours and Cost
The average annual respondent burden for Form EIA-886 is approximately 5.2 hours, calculated
as follows:
50 Original Equipment Manufacturers x 3.0 hours = 150 hours
25 AFV converters x 2.5 hours = 62.5 hours
100 Users of AFVs and ATFs (complex fleets) x 30 hours = 3000 hours
1900 Users of AFVs and ATFs (simple fleets) x 4 hours = 7600 hours
Total Burden = 10,812.5 hours for 2,075 respondents
Total Annual Respondent Cost:
The average annual respondent cost for Form EIA-886 is approximately $348, calculated as
follows:
Original Equipment Manufacturers ($66.86 per hour x 150 hours = $10,029)
Conversion Companies ($66.86 per hour x 62.5 hours = $4,178.75)
Users of AFVs and ATFs ($66.86 per hour x 10,600 hours = $708,716)
Total Cost = $722,923.75
An average cost per hour of $66.86 is used because that is the average loaded (salary plus
benefits) cost for an EIA employee. EIA assumes that the survey respondent workforce
completing surveys for EIA is comparable with the EIA workforce.
A-13. Annual Reporting and Record keeping - Cost Burden to Respondents
There are no additional (a) total capital and start-up costs; (b) total operation and maintenance
and purchase of services components associated with this collection. The only cost to the
respondent is for the time to retrieve the requested information from existing information
systems and to then report that information to EIA.
A-14. Estimate of Costs to the Federal Government
The annual cost to the Government for Form EIA-886 is estimated at $375,000. This cost
estimate includes funds for data collection, follow-up data processing, nonresponse adjustment,
variance estimation, survey documentation, data analysis, and preparation of data reports.

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A-15. Changes in Respondent Burden
The estimate of respondent burden has not changed from the current OMB inventory for 19050191.
A-16. Schedule for Collecting and Publishing Data
The results of the Annual Survey of Alternative Fueled Vehicles will be published by EIA in
reports along with additional data obtained through other EPACT92 data collection programs.
EIA expects to publish an annual report that will incorporate Form EIA-886 data. The time
schedule for data collection and related analysis activities for the 2010 Report is summarized
below. (Similar schedules will be followed in subsequent years.)

Schedule for Data Collection and Analysis
Activity

Estimated Completion Date

Mail Form EIA-886 Survey for 2010 Report Year

January 15, 2011

Survey Due Back

March 15, 2011

Begin Follow-up Contact with Respondents

March 15, 2011

End Follow-up Contact with Respondents

May 15, 2011

Complete Data Collection

July 15, 2011

Data Analysis and Preliminary Data Report

October 1, 2011

Publish Survey Results

December 31, 2011

A-17. Expiration Date
The expiration date will be displayed on the form.
A-18. Certification Statement
There are no exceptions to the Certification Statement requirement.

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