Saanich takes steps to further electrify municipal fleet, reduce emissions

May 6, 2021

News release
For immediate release                               

                                                                                                           

Saanich takes steps to further electrify municipal fleet, reduce emissions

 Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich is taking steps to reduce emissions from its municipal fleet by adding 22 new level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to its facilities to support the ongoing electrification of its fleet. This is an enhancement made possible in part through funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program.  

 “Adding additional electric vehicles and charging stations to our municipal fleet supports Saanich’s transition to renewable fuels and helps us meet our corporate climate targets,” said Mayor Fred Haynes. “This important step adds to our commitment to lower corporate greenhouse gas emissions, which have already been reduced by 19% since 2007.”

“We are giving Canadians the greener options they want to get where they need to go,” said the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources. “This is how we get to net zero by 2050.”

Saanich’s Climate Plan outlines strategies to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal operations to 50% of 2007 levels by 2025 (from 5,834 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2007 to 2,942 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2025), and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. Saanich’s fleet currently accounts for 64% of our corporate GHG emissions. Switching to low and zero-carbon vehicles and fuels drastically reduces fleet emissions, which is a necessary step to becoming more sustainable.

 Quick facts: 

  • The Saanich Climate Plan includes two key strategies to meet corporate GHG emission reduction targets:
    • Transition to an efficient, renewably-powered fleet; and
    • Transition to efficient and renewably-powered municipal buildings.
  • The District of Saanich has also shown great leadership in reducing emissions, including:
    • Electrification of fleet vehicles where market available (i.e. cars and Zambonis), including installing multiple fleet EV charging stations;
    • Reducing the number of fleet vehicles;
    • Increasing the use of biodiesel blend fuel for medium and heavy duty vehicles;
    • Planning for future electrification of fire apparatus and equipment as the manufacturers advance new technologies; and
    • Implementing anti-idling campaigns.
  • Saanich is aiming to install the new electric vehicle charging stations throughout 2021 and 2022, with all 22 new stations installed by fall 2022.
  • Valued at a total cost of $220,000, the Government of Canada invested $110,000 for the charging stations.

 More information about the Climate Plan is available at Saanich.ca/climateplan

 

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Media contact: 
Kelsie McLeod
Saanich Communications
kelsie.mcleod@saanich.ca
250- 475-7638