The Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition has announced its 2017 Green Fleet Leadership Award winner, given annually to commercial and government fleets that reduce petroleum consumption and improve local air quality.
“The fleets we’re recognizing range from using compressed natural gas to propane to plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles, all with the goals of saving fuel, reducing emissions and saving money,” said John W. Walton, chair of Chicago Area Clean Cities. “
This year’s government winners include city of Chicago, which has been pursuing electric vehicle fleets along with other major cities, city of Elmhurst, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and Chicago Transit Authority:
- The City of Chicago: Chicago is adding 182 electric vehicles to the city’s vehicle fleet, plus nine DC Fast Charging stations and 182 Level 2 charging stations. Chicago expects to have a passenger fleet that is 25 percent EV by 2023. Currently, the city operates a fleet of 2,600 vehicles compatible with E85 fuel. In 2016, the city’s fleet used more than 750,000 gallons of E85 (ethanol) instead of traditional gasoline or diesel fuel. Also, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel filed an executive order committing Chicago to follow and adopt the guidelines of the Paris Agreement.
- City of Elmhurst, Ill.: The Chicagoland city has a fleet of more than 80 biodiesel-fueled trucks and in 2016, increased biodiesel use by 8 percent.
- Forest Preserve District of DuPage County: The Forest Preserve District, which manages nearly 26,000 acres in 60 preserves in DuPage County, operates nearly 50 vehicles compatible with E85 fuel. In 2016, the District reduced petroleum-based fuel usage by 24,000 gallons.
- Chicago Transit Authority (CTA): The CTA, the primary public transit agency serving the city of Chicago, operates four hybrid-electric SUVs, more than 250 hybrid electric buses and two all-electric buses. In 2016, the CTA’s hybrid and electric fleet reduced fuel consumption by 130,000 gallons of fuel.
The Coalition also recognized several commercial fleets, including FedEx Express, ComEd, Waste Management, Peapod, Continental Air Transport, Coca-Cola and Watts on Wheels.
Access the original news release on ChicagoCleanCities.org.
Marc Manning of the Chicago Transit Authority talks about the @CTA’s planning for #fleet #electrification of its #transit buses #Chicago #Sustainability #Electric #Hybrid #Buses pic.twitter.com/55ouNeI7lq
— Chicago Clean Cities (@ChiCleanCities) December 7, 2017