As part of the MCCAC’s Electric Vehicles for Municipalities (EVM) Program, the Town of Banff purchased a 2019 Chevrolet Bolt Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) and a Proterra Parkade Sweeper BEV.
The Town of Banff’s Green Fleet policy was introduced in 2016. Its purpose was to monitor and set targets for the town’s fuel consumption. In 2018 it was rewritten to include a 5 year, aggressive reduction of both fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Along with these revised targets, Banff also categorizing equipment into great detail, analysing equipment’s scope of use and purchasing new/replacement units with 4 season use efficiencies. The town also made the commitment to adopt alternative energy vehicles/equipment whenever possible and is working towards electrifying its fleet and adding the charging infrastructure required to accommodate this growth.
A major part of this shift in equipment and vehicle use is the cost associated with going to alternative fueled units. Electric/hybrid powertrain costs are in some cases substantially higher than that of the internal combustion engines (ice) being replaced. Given this increased costs it is important to budget accordingly and to take advantage of help when offered.
The Town of Banff has begun working with the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) to use their grant funding towards the purchase of electric vehicles and equipment. This assistance lowers the purchasing costs and allows us to introduce more energy efficient units to our fleet. Which in turn helps lower our fuel consumption and GHG emissions.
Banff looks forward to working further with the MCCAC on upcoming projects including further vehicle purchases and increasing charging infrastructure. Working together to keep Banff’s fleet running clean and efficiently.
Chris McGregor, Manager Fleet & Transit Services
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