Fleet Electrification News — June 2026 — Yellowstone National Park continues making significant progress toward fleet electrification, even after facing major setbacks from the catastrophic 2022 flooding that damaged roads and power infrastructure. Through a collaborative Tiger Team effort with the DOE’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the park has developed a clear roadmap for transitioning vehicles to zero-emission operation.
Of Yellowstone’s approximately 457 vehicles, 146 light- and medium-duty vehicles operating primarily from the Mammoth Headquarters area were identified as strong candidates for electrification.
Using NREL’s Zero Emission Vehicle Planning and Charging (ZPAC) tool, analysts evaluated driving patterns, parking locations, and available electric vehicle models to prioritize conversions.
A detailed electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) assessment conducted in summer 2022 recommended installing 42 Level 2 charging ports across three key parking locations at Mammoth Headquarters.
To support the added electrical load, the plan includes upgrading one transformer and adding two new service panels. The assessment carefully minimized costly trenching through hardscapes and maximized use of existing electrical infrastructure.
The project also addressed unique challenges of operating electric vehicles in Yellowstone’s extreme winter conditions, including cold-weather storage and maintenance best practices for vehicles that may sit idle for months.
Transitioning the fleet is expected to deliver multiple benefits: improved air quality and reduced noise pollution for visitors and wildlife, lower carbon emissions, and decreased need to transport fossil fuels to remote areas of the park.
The experience gained at Mammoth Headquarters will serve as a blueprint for electrifying operations at other locations across the vast park.
This initiative demonstrates how federal agencies and national parks can lead by example in sustainable fleet management while building resilience against climate-related disruptions.
