Spano Signs Executive Order Issuing Green Fleet Standards
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano recently signed an executive order directing the transition of the city’s fleet, consisting of over 1,000 vehicles, from gas to electric vehicles (EVs). The Green Fleet Standards for City Vehicles executive order complements the City’s continued efforts to reduce vehicle maintenance, fuel consumption and help Yonkers meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
“Today we are strengthening our commitment to reducing vehicle emissions and fossil fuel dependence,” said Mayor Spano. “Requiring this transition from gas to an electric vehicle fleet is both good for our environment and good for our bottom line. We must lead by example in demonstrating to our residents and businesses that, together, we can all play a role in a more sustainable, greener city.”
As part of Mayor Spano’s executive order, Yonkers will implement Green Fleet Standards and new requirements for vehicle procurement by the City, including:
· The City shall procure only EV models of light-duty vehicles. Waivers to this requirement are to be considered only when an EV option for a given application is unavailable or cost-prohibitive.
· The City shall prioritize the procurement of EV models of medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles when such an option is available for the given application.
· The City will convene a Green Fleet Standards Review Committee to review all requests for new vehicle purchases; ensure compliance with the EV requirements; support the development of EV phase-in plans for departments which use gasoline or diesel; conduct an annual review of the Green Fleet Standards and make recommendations for revisions to the standards and goals based on the availability of any new technologies that may further assist in reducing emissions and fossil fuel use.
Over the last eight years, Yonkers has started to transition to electric and high fuel efficiency vehicles. Yonkers’ current city fleet consists of over 1,000 vehicles, including over 550 light-duty vehicles such as sedans, vans and SUVs. The light-duty fleet currently averages a combined 20 miles per gallon and consumes approximately 260,000 gallons of gasoline annually, amounting to the equivalent of 2,311 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Encouraging use of EVs by residents and visitors, the City of Yonkers has already installed electric vehicle charging stations at City parking facilities. The City plans to roll out additional charging stations in the next year in the city’s business districts.
