The City will reduce its CO
2 emissions by about 31.5 tonnes and save just over $250,000 each year by transitioning a number of fleet vehicles to electric.
This week Council gave the green light to the move which will also see the supply and installation of 12 electric chargers.
Mayor David McMullen said the Council decision was in line with the City’s Corporate Carbon Reduction Plan.
“The City has ambitious carbon reduction targets to help tackle climate change. Transitioning these fleet vehicles to EV will not only reduce our CO2 emissions substantially; it will also save our ratepayers money,” he said.
“The City has been certified carbon neutral for some years now and it’s important we continue to find ways to reduce our environmental impact further. We know our environment and being more sustainable are important to our community.”
Up until recently availability of electric vehicles that were economically feasible for the City had been limited but, more choice on the market, and government rebates and tax exemptions have made a majority electric fleet possible now.
To enable to roll out of the electric vehicles, chargers will be installed at three City facilities – the operations centre, Subiaco Library, and Lords Recreation Centre; these locations all come under the City’s power purchasing agreement which provides carbon neutral electricity.
A state government grant of $21,385 has been secured to put towards the installation and operational costs of the chargers.
The new vehicles will add to the City’s increasingly sustainable light fleet which already includes electric ranger vehicles and a number of hybrid models.
Find out about the City’s sustainability and environmental initiatives.
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