The number of vehicles owned or leased by the federal government has grown by 20 percent over the past decade – to 254,059 in 2011. And that’s not even accounting for the government’s most road-reliant divisions – the military and the U.S. Postal Service.
The big fleet comes with a big price tag: $1.8 billion in 2011, plus $566 million in fuel costs.
Not surprising are calls to cut back these cars in order to trim the deficit. Limousines are under particular scrutiny. Their use soared after President Obama took office in 2008, but later shrank. Limos totaled 157 in 2011.
Click through our photo gallery for more details on the federal fleet and which departments depend on it the most. See “What Do Others Say?” for more opinions, then add to the discussion below. Do we need so many cars in federal service? Where would you make cuts?
