The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released an online directory of Web-based tools, database searches, cost calculators and interactive maps — all related to alternative fuels and advanced vehicles.

This comprehensive Web page helps users quickly navigate to the 23 tools, maps and searches available on the Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) Website for transportation technologies. Users can find the tools page on the AFDC under Information Resources at: www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/applications.html.

The Web-based tools benefit everyone from legislators to fleet owners to consumers. Users can generate a map of the nearest alternative fueling stations, research vehicle specifications for hybrid and alternative fuel light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, compare mileage estimates, calculate cost savings for natural gas or flexible fuel vehicles, search for incentives and rebates.

The AFDC is managed by NREL and is sponsored by the Clean Cities Initiative (www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities), a government-industry partnership sponsored by DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Program.