The Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition was formed in 2004 when the Director of the NC State Energy Office (SEO) asked the Land-of-Sky Regional Council (LOSRC) if it would be interested in seeking Clean Cities designation for the Asheville metropolitan area. There were already designated Clean Cities coalitions in the Raleigh-Durham area (Triangle Clean Cities Coalition housed at Triangle J Council of Governments) and the Charlotte area (Centralina Clean Fuels Coalition housed at the Centralina Council of Governments). The NC SEO provided funding support to establish the Coalition, expand deployment of alternative fuel vehicles (AFV’s) and infrastructure and began work towards designation. The LOSRC was already promoting the use of alternative fueled vehicles through its air quality planning and education programs including the Regional Clean Air Campaign (CAC). Several Clean Air Car Fairs were held in 2001 and 2002 and the CAC was carrying out other education and outreach events. The region was concerned about the area’s air quality and its impacts on the environment, economy, and health of its citizens. The LOSRC welcomed the opportunity and resources to expand its efforts to promote low emission vehicles and reduce petroleum use.

A Kick-off event for the Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition (Clean Cities project) was held on April 8, 2004 at the Top of the Plaza in the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Asheville. Speakers included Asheville Mayor Charles Worley, Hendersonville Mayor Fred Niehoff, US Department of Energy Clean Cities South East Region Manager David Dunagan, NC State Energy Office Director Larry Shirley, and Blossman Gas representative Henry Bodie. A propane gas fueled school bus on a nationwide tour made a stop at the event. Sponsors included the US Department of Energy, NC State Energy Office, Progress Energy, Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Blossman Gas.