Report to/Rapport au :

 

Transportation Committee

Comité des transports

 

and Council/et au Conseil

 

13 August 2009 / le 13 août 2009

 

Submitted by/Soumis par:

Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager/Directeur municipal adjoint,

City Operations/Opérations municipales

 

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Yvan Lupien, Manager, Fleet Services

Fleet Services/Services du parc automobile

(613) 580-2424 x 22391, Yvan.Lupien@ottawa.ca

 

City Wide/à l'échelle de la Ville

Ref N°: ACS2009-COS-FLT-0001

 

 

SUBJECT:

 GREEN Municipal FLEET PLAN

 

 

OBJET :

 Plan VERt DU parc de véhicules MUNICIPAUX

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

 

That the Transportation Committee recommend Council:  

 

1.                  Approve the updated Municipal Fleet Emissions Reductions Strategy outlined in this report, including the 9 high-priority action items of the Green Municipal Fleet Plan attached as Document 1, which will reduce municipal fleet Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by 3,000 tonnes by 2012, which constitutes 33% of the additional emissions reductions required to achieve the City’s overall proposed GHG reduction target.

 

2.                  Direct staff to include in future draft budgets for Council consideration and approval, any operating or capital funding requirements associated with the 24 Green Municipal Fleet Recommendations / Action Items identified in the report.

 

3.         Subject to approval of Recommendation 1, direct staff to include in the 2010 draft budget, the additional costs associated with 10% ethanol blended gasoline ($30,000); Bio-Diesel ($350,000); Bio fuel tanks ($50,000) along with the inclusion in the 2010 draft capital budget of a Green Fleet capital program ($500,000) and Paramedic Rescue Units ESPAR heater retrofits ($100,000).

 

 

 

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité des transports recommande au Conseil :

 

1.                  d’approuver la mise à jour de la Stratégie de réduction des émissions du parc automobile municipal qui est exposée dans le présent rapport, y compris les neuf mesures prioritaires contenues dans le Plan vert du parc de véhicules municipaux (document 1), laquelle permettra de diminuer de 3 000 tonnes d’ici 2012 les émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES) produites par le parc automobile municipal, ce qui représente 33 p. 100 des réductions supplémentaires nécessaires pour atteindre l’objectif global proposé pour la Ville à cet égard;

 

2.                  de demander au personnel d’inclure dans les prochaines prévisions budgétaires soumises à l’approbation du Conseil les crédits de fonctionnement ou d’immobilisations requis pour mettre en œuvre les 24 recommandations et mesures du Plan vert du parc de véhicules municipaux énoncées dans le présent rapport;

 

3.                  de demander au personnel, sous réserve de l’approbation de la recommandation 1, d’inclure dans les prévisions budgétaires de 2010 les coûts supplémentaires associés au carburant constitué à 10 p. 100 d’éthanol (30 000 $), au biodiesel (350 000 $) et aux réservoirs de biocarburant (50 000 $), et de prévoir au budget préliminaire des immobilisations de 2010 un programme d’immobilisations pour le parc de véhicules écologiques (500 000 $) ainsi que l’installation d’appareils de chauffage de marque ESPAR dans les véhicules des unités paramédicales (100 000 $).

 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

At its meeting of September 24, 2008, Council approved a direction to staff to “update the Fleet Emission Reduction Strategy (FERS) by Q1 2009 and report back to Committee and Council on the new Green Fleet Policy within 6 months of the adoption of the Fleet Emission Reduction Strategy.”  Staff was further directed to ensure that the new green vehicle policy include adjustments to the City’s procurement policy to favour the purchase of green vehicles, to continue the current practice of providing a business case for the purchase of future green vehicles; to continue to reduce fleet emissions by replacing older vehicles with newer “green” ones; to introduce "life cycle costing" in the vehicle and equipment procurement process, and to seek funding from the FCM Green Municipal Fund to offset the cost of developing the Green Fleet Policy/Strategy.

 

Given the 2008 Transit Services realignment that resulted in the division of Municipal Fleet and Transit Fleet, this update is focused on the Municipal Fleet Emissions Reductions Strategy (MFERS) and responds directly to the recommendations approved by Council in September 2008.  Staff worked with the Bronson Consulting Group to develop a MFERS in the first quarter of 2009.  Since then staff has undertaken to broaden the scope of this environmental initiative.  The requested MFERS update is now part of the Green Municipal Fleet Plan (GMFP) that aims to reduce the environmental footprint of municipal fleet operations.

 

Council received the initial FERS in 2002, which committed Fleet Services to reduce corporate air and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to report back to Council once every term with an updated strategy.

 

The City of Ottawa committed to reduce its overall emissions 20% (below 1990 levels) by 2007 and that target was met in 2004. A revised corporate target of 30% that extends to 2012 will be presented to Council in September.

 

The GMFP is being factored into the revised corporate-wide targets and will make a major contribution, as transportation activities remain one of the top two GHG emission producers in the country.

 

The GMFP contains 24 action plans, including the 9 priority actions set out in Document 1 of this report, that provides specific, concrete activities that will make a major contribution to the reduction in GHG’s attributable to the transportation activities of the City.

 

The actions include reintroduction of more environmentally fuels, use of electric and hybrid vehicles, replacement of older fleet with more fuel efficient vehicles, “right sizing” the fleet to ensure that vehicle specifications do not over match requirements; implementing a vehicle and equipment policy that favours the purchase of green vehicles; introducing “life cycle” costing into the procurement process in recognition that green technologies may have higher initial costs but may deliver savings in lower long-term operating and maintenance costs, and, establishment a “green fleet” capital account in recognition that there will be premium acquisition and retrofit costs associated with the transition from a traditional to a “green” fleet.

The most recent data on emission levels is from 2004, when the City surpassed its emission reduction target by 24% bringing 2004 emission levels down from 98, 859 tonnes (1990) to 75,131 tonnes (2004).  In order to achieve the revised corporate emission reduction target of 30% by 2012, Municipal Fleet Services was tasked to reduce emissions by 1,000 tonnes.  Corporately, an additional 6% or 6,800 tonnes of emission reductions is required to achieve the 30% target. With approval of the actions and investments identified in this report, Municipal Fleet Services expects to exceed its target by reducing its GHG emissions by 3,000 tonnes, which is the equivalent of removing 750 mid-size vehicles from our fleet.  That 3,000 tonne reduction will contribute 2% of the required 6% to meet the corporate target resulting in the GMFP being responsible for 33% of the Corporation’s overall GHG reduction target. 

 

Six of the nine priority action items will result in savings of $700,000 per year with moderate reductions of GHGs.  Two of the items (reinstitution of Ethanol Blend and BioDiesel) with a cost of $380,000 will result in significant reductions of GHGs with costs offset by the other components of the action plan.  The establishment of the “Green Fleet” fund will provide financial capacity to continue to test and implement new technologies.

 

Details of the Green Municipal Fleet Plan (GMFP) are contained in the following report.

 


RÉSUMÉ

 

À sa réunion du 24 septembre 2008, le Conseil municipal a demandé au personnel « de mettre à jour la Stratégie de réduction des émissions du parc automobile d’ici le premier trimestre de 2009 et de faire rapport au Comité et au Conseil sur la nouvelle politique pour un parc de véhicules écologiques dans les six mois suivant l’adoption de la Stratégie de réduction des émissions du parc automobile ». Le personnel a également été chargé de veiller à ce que la nouvelle politique en question prévoie les ajustements nécessaires à la politique municipale en matière d’approvisionnement afin de favoriser l’achat de véhicules écologiques; de poursuivre la pratique consistant à fournir une analyse de rentabilisation pour l’achat de véhicules écologiques; de continuer à réduire le volume des émissions du parc automobile en remplaçant les vieux véhicules par de nouveaux plus « verts »; d’inclure le « coût du cycle de vie » dans le processus d’approvisionnement relatif aux véhicules et à l’équipement; et de chercher à obtenir du financement du Fonds municipal vert de la Fédération canadienne des municipalités (FCM) afin de couvrir les coûts d’élaboration de la politique/stratégie pour un parc de véhicules écologiques.

 

La réorganisation de Services de transport en commun opérée en 2008 ayant entraîné la dissociation des unités responsables du parc automobile municipal et du parc de véhicules de transport en commun, la présente mise à jour porte sur la Stratégie de réduction des émissions du parc automobile municipal (SREPAM) et donne suite directement aux recommandations approuvées par le Conseil en septembre 2008. Le personnel de la Ville a élaboré la SREPAM en collaboration avec le Bronson Consulting Group au cours du premier trimestre de 2009, puis a cherché à élargir la portée de cette initiative environnementale. La mise à jour exigée pour la Stratégie fait maintenant partie du Plan vert du parc de véhicules municipaux, lequel vise à réduire l’empreinte écologique associée à l’exploitation du parc automobile municipal.

 

Aux termes de la première version de la Stratégie de réduction des émissions du parc automobile, approuvée par le Conseil en 2002, Services du parc automobile devait diminuer les émissions atmosphériques et celles de gaz à effet de serre découlant des activités municipales et présenter au Conseil une mise à jour de la Stratégie une fois par mandat.

 

La Ville d’Ottawa s’était engagée à réduire ses émissions globales de 20 p. 100 (par rapport aux niveaux de 1990) au plus tard en 2007 et a atteint cet objectif en 2004. Un nouvel objectif de 30 p. 100, à réaliser d’ici 2012, sera proposé au Conseil en septembre.

 

Le Plan vert est pris en compte dans le nouvel objectif municipal et contribuera grandement à l’atteinte de celui‑ci, puisque les activités de transport demeurent l’une des deux principales sources d’émissions de GES au pays.

 

Le Plan vert comprend 24 plans d’action (dont les neuf mesures prioritaires énoncées dans le document 1 du présent rapport) qui concernent des activités précises et concrètes pouvant contribuer largement à réduire les émissions de GES attribuables aux activités de transport de la Ville.

 

Parmi les mesures proposées, mentionnons les suivantes : recommencer à utiliser des carburants plus écologiques; opter pour des véhicules électriques et hybrides; remplacer les vieux véhicules par des modèles plus économiques en carburant; veiller à ce que la taille et les autres caractéristiques des véhicules ne soient pas supérieures à celles nécessaires pour accomplir le travail; mettre en œuvre une politique qui favorise l’achat de véhicules et d’équipement écologiques; inclure le « coût du cycle de vie » dans le processus d’approvisionnement de manière à reconnaître que les technologies vertes, bien qu’elles puissent avoir un coût d’acquisition supérieur, permettent généralement de réaliser des économies grâce à des coûts d’exploitation et d’entretien à long terme inférieurs; et constituer un compte de dépenses d’immobilisations consacré au « parc de véhicules écologiques » afin de compenser les coûts d’acquisition et de modernisation qu’il faudra assumer pour passer d’un parc automobile traditionnel à un parc écologique.

 

Les émissions sont mesurées par rapport à 1990, l’année de référence, où les rejets de GES de la Ville s’élevaient à 98 859 tonnes. La Ville s’était engagée à réduire ceux‑ci de 20 p. 100 par rapport aux niveaux de 1990 au plus tard en 2007, objectif qu’elle a surpassé en 2004, ayant diminué ses émissions totales de 24 p. 100, pour les ramener à 75 131 tonnes. En septembre 2009, la Direction de la durabilité de l’environnement soumettra pour la Ville un nouvel objectif consistant à abaisser d’ici 2012 les rejets de 30 p. 100 par rapport aux niveaux de 1990. Pour ce faire, la Ville devra diminuer ses émissions totales de 6 p. 100, ou 6 800 tonnes. Services du parc automobile municipal a été chargé de contribuer à l’atteinte de cette cible en réduisant ses émissions de GES de 1 000 tonnes. Si les mesures et les investissements mentionnés dans le présent rapport sont approuvés, il devrait être en mesure de les diminuer de 3 000 tonnes, ce qui représente 2 p. 100 du pourcentage visé (6 p. 100) et permettrait à la Ville de réduire ses émissions totales de 33 p. 100, et de surpasser ainsi de nouveau l’objectif fixé.

 

Six des neuf mesures prioritaires généreront des économies annuelles de 700 000 $ et une réduction modérée des émissions de GES. Deux autres (la réintroduction du carburant à l’éthanol et du biodiesel) entraîneront d’importantes réductions de GES, et leur coût (380 000 $) sera compensé par les autres volets du plan d’action. La création d’un fonds consacré au « parc de véhicules écologiques » assurera le financement voulu pour tester et mettre en œuvre de nouvelles technologies.

 

Le Plan vert du parc de véhicules municipaux est présenté en détail dans le rapport qui suit.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

At its meeting of September 24, 2008 Council approved the following directions respecting the fleet emissions reduction strategy:

 

1.         That staff be directed to update the Fleet Emission Reduction Strategy (FERS) by Q1 2009 and report back to Committee and Council on the new Green Fleet Policy within 6 months of the adoption of the Fleet Emission Reduction Strategy; and,

 

2.         That the new green vehicle policy include, but not be limited to, the following:

·                     Adjusting the City’s procurement policy to favour the purchase of green vehicles as a standard practice, where such products are available within required delivery dates and cost effective while providing the flexibility to adopt promising new technologies and practices over time; and

·                     Continuing the current practice of providing a business case for the purchase of future green vehicles; and

 

3.         That until the new Fleet Emission Reduction Strategy is adopted, staff continues to reduce fleet emissions by replacing older vehicles with newer “green” ones to ensure the City meets new emissions criteria, and be directed to introduce "life cycle costing" in the vehicle and equipment procurement process, whereby staff will take into consideration the total life cycle costs of ownership (i.e. - depreciation, maintenance, fuel, etc) of a vehicle in determining which vehicle to purchase.

 

4.         That staff seek funding from the FCM Green Municipal Fund to offset the cost of developing the Green Fleet Policy/Strategy.

 

This report responds directly to the recommendations approved by Council in September 2008. 

 

Council received the initial Fleet Emissions Reduction Strategy (FERS) in 2002. The FERS committed Fleet Services to reduce corporate air and greenhouse gas emissions and to report back to Council once every term with an updated strategy.

 

The first FERS update was presented to Council in 2004. Staff reported significant progress on many of the short, medium and long-term initiatives. Specifically, progress was achieved in the following areas: use of bioDiesel and ethanol as a viable fuel source, Diesel engine retrofits and the introduction of hybrid Diesel-electric technology into the Transit Fleet. Staff also reported on two major accomplishments: 1) the completion of the Corporate Vehicle and Equipment Idling Policy and 2) the preparatory work to implement hybrid Diesel-electric buses (one of the mid-term strategies). Many of these initiatives arose out of the 2002 and 2004 Emissions Reductions Strategies and were based on the Transit Fleet as it was noted that Transit accounts for approximately 75% of fuel consumption.

 

The 2009 Emissions Reductions Strategy update differs in scope from the previous updates because of the Transit Services realignment, which took place in June 2008. The realignment resulted in the division of Municipal Fleet and Transit Fleet between the Public Works and Infrastructure and Community Sustainability Departments respectively. This update is based on the Municipal Fleet Emissions Reductions Strategy and will be referred to herein as MFERS. 

 

The 2009 MFERS update identifies progress achieved in the municipal fleet as well as new initiatives undertaken by the Municipal Fleet Services Branch since the 2004 update.  It is important to note that the 2004 FERS did not contain specific Municipal Fleet Targets as it was heavily focused on Transit Fleet and therefore, the progress reports are based on recent initiatives implemented to reduce emissions generated by the municipal portion of the fleet.

 

One major accomplishment for 2009 is the completion of the Green Municipal Fleet Plan (GMFP); an action plan to assist Municipal Fleet in achieving its emission reduction targets.

 

DISCUSSION

 

The City of Ottawa is a member of Partners for Climate Protection (PCP), a network of Canadian municipal governments that have committed to reducing GHG’s and acting on climate change. PCP has indicated that municipal governments have either direct or indirect control of 50% of GHG emissions. [1] As a member, the City of Ottawa has committed to reduce GHG emissions from municipal operations as well as from overall community sources. This commitment requires emission inventories, action plans with set targets and measures to meet the targets, implementation strategies, public education and on-going monitoring. [2]

 

There are several City of Ottawa Plans that outline goals and objectives for Corporate environmental quality including: the City Strategic Plan, the Official Plan, the Transportation Master Plan, The Environmental Strategy and the Air Quality and Change Management Plan. Essentially, all of the plans committed the City to reduce 1990 GHG emission levels 20% by 2007. The 1990 corporate GHG levels were 98,859 tonnes and the 20% reduction target was surpassed in 2004 with a 24% reduction or 75,131 tonnes. A revised corporate target of 30% that extends to 2012 is under consideration and will be presented to Council by the Environmental Sustainability Branch in September. This would require an additional 6% reduction or 6,800 tonnes.

 

The Green Municipal Fleet Plan is being factored into the revised targets and stands to make a major contribution. The original reduction target for Municipal Fleet was 1,000 tonnes; The Green Municipal Fleet Plan endeavours to reduce 3,000 tonnes of GHG emissions, which, would result in a 33% corporate reduction by 2012.

 

Corporately, the two main producers of GHG emissions are the building sector (53%) and the transportation sector (28%). The waste sector, street lighting, water and sewage are responsible for the remaining emissions. These areas have made many strides in their GHG reductions however; some facets of these areas are easier to change than transportation or building. For this reason, the transportation and building sectors have become the areas of focus for reductions.

 

 

 

Transportation is an important feature of the daily lives of Canadians. It connects communities, contributes to the flow of people and goods, and is key to the success of the Canadian economy. Our reliance on motorized transportation has a variety of impacts on human health and the environment. Transportation, particularly road transportation, relies heavily on the consumption of fossil fuels, and contributes to reductions in air quality and rising levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

 

Canada's per capita use of energy for road transportation (55.3 gigajoules per person) was higher than both the G7 (48.4 gigajoules per person) and OECD-30 (38.0 gigajoules per person) averages for 2004.  To put this figure into perspective, approximately 40 gigajoules of energy is required to heat a 40-gallon hot-water tank for an average Canadian family of four for one year. 

 

Transportation energy use per capita, road transport, G7 countries and the OECD-30 average, 2004

 

The transportation sector is a major emitter of air pollutants, producing nearly three quarters of carbon monoxide emissions, more than half of nitrogen oxide emissions, and more than one-quarter of the volatile organic compounds affecting air quality.

 

The Green Municipal Fleet Plan (GMFP) specifically targets the transportation activities of the City and aims to reduce the City’s footprint in this major GHG emission sector. The GMFP provides 24 recommendations and accompanying action items that will permit the City to achieve its emissions reduction objectives as set out in MFERS. Each action item is accompanied by an outline of the respective intent, anticipated result, benefit and cost. With respect to benefits, it focuses primarily on tailpipe emissions and operating efficiencies. An important item to note is that many of these action items are new initiatives and/or emerging technologies that cannot be quantified until post-implementation. In these cases, the benefits have been projected based on similar initiatives/technologies and, actual results will be monitored and reported as part of the next update.

 

Green Municipal Fleet Plan Overview

 

The Green Municipal Fleet Plan (GMFP) was developed in consultation with the Environmental Sustainability Branch. The plan was developed out of the short, medium and long-term recommendations contained within MFERS, and are intended to provide workable action plans to guide municipal fleet’s activities.  The objective of the plan is to reduce fuel use, fuel costs and the emissions of greenhouse gases and smog causing air pollutants, in essence the objective is to “green” the municipal fleet.

 

Fleet Services has also partnered with Fleet Challenge Ontario to complete E3 Fleet Reviews in 2009/2010. As part of this partnership Municipal Fleet Services will receive profile reports on operations and asset management, including a baseline analysis of GHG emissions and fuel performance. The E3 reports will also identify environmental opportunities to improve fleet performance and ensure Fleet is taking action on all potential GHG reduction initiatives. 

 

In 2008, fuel consumption for Municipal Fleet totalled 8.8 million litres including 7.1 million litres in the licensed fleet and 1.7 million litres in the heavy fleet.  Reducing the quantity of fuel consumed saves money and reduces emissions in turn, increasing operating efficiency and reducing the City’s environmental footprint.

 

“Greening” a fleet is a very complex undertaking as there are multiple potential impacts. Some solutions may increase costs for the operating departments, while others have the potential for savings; some rely heavily on acquiring emerging technologies, while others rely on refining operational practices and employee behaviour. For example, such actions as properly maintained engines and properly inflated tires can result in an annual GHG reduction of 535 tonnes - 1,072 tonnes and, the installation of idling control technology can result in an annual GHG reduction of 1 tonne per vehicle (based on the City’s entire fleet fuel consumption).

 

Many emerging “green” technologies have not been fully analyzed with respect to performance and/or reliability and therefore, the effects/benefits cannot be fully measured or understood until post-implementation.  It is critical when investing in “green” technologies that the inherent risk be identified and mitigated as much as possible. Additionally, the impacts of any given “green” technology are not always known prior to implementation and therefore, require a significant amount of estimating, researching, monitoring and analyzing. Some solutions are considered a natural progression of technology (i.e. upgrades in newer vehicle models) while others are considered much less mainstream (i.e. hybrid medium and large size trucks, fuel cells etc.). One thing remains constant; there are very few “one-size-fits-all” solutions. We must therefore rely on a multi-facetted approach to reduce our overall environmental footprint.

 

The GMFP therefore provides practicable and diverse action items for some of the strategies outlined in MFERS. The strategies that are identified as being top priority are as follows:

 

MFERS Short-Medium Term Strategies

           

1.      Emission Reduction Targets:  Fleet Services will work with the Environmental Sustainability Branch and other City Branches to establish fleet emissions reduction targets (including the establishment of a baseline year for comparison purposes) for the next 5-10 years that are in line with the City’s overall emissions reduction targets. 

 

2.      Policy for Calculating Fleet Emissions:  The City will consider developing guidelines or an internal policy for calculating and cataloguing its annual municipal fleet emissions.  This policy will include:

 

·        A list and description of the fields that are required to be tracked in order to calculate emissions and appropriately categorize fuel-burning units;

·        A summary of the vehicle fuelling data required;

·        The statistics that will be reported (e.g. tailpipe CO2 in g/km, fuel efficiency in L/100km, gross fuel consumption, gasoline litre equivalent consumption, emissions intensity in g/km, etc.);

·        The different categories in which fleet emissions statistics will be reported (i.e. by vehicle, department, class of vehicle, age of vehicle, etc.);

·        The methodologies to be used (including any assumptions) in calculating each statistic for all different vehicles including those with odometers, hour meters, licensed & unlicensed, on and off-road, etc.

·        The importance of reliable service delivery, particularly for emergency service vehicles;

 

3.      Prioritizing Emissions Reduction Options (ER0):  The City will prioritize its emissions reduction efforts and investments based on cost-benefit analyses of EROs with the highest impact/lowest cost options prioritized first.  These analyses will take into account the following:

·        The importance of reliable service delivery, particularly for emergency and front-line service vehicles;

·        Expected up-front cost to implement;

·        Projected annual savings generated (or costs incurred) – for example due to changes in fuel economy;

·        Anticipated overall impact in reducing emissions;

·        That pilot testing may be required to confirm that an ERO will not compromise service delivery and to ensure that the anticipated cost savings will really occur when applied to vehicles in this fleet;

·        Likelihood that the option will become more affordable in the future;

·        Other benefits such as occupant comfort, noise reduction, etc.

 

4.      Implement the high priority EROs including: 

·        Bio-fuels;

·        Replacing vehicles manufactured before 1998;

·        Introducing more Diesel engine vehicles in the light fleet;

·        Targeting vehicles in highest consumption classes (heavy road maintenance) and B2 (light duty trucks), which together consume 36% of fuel, for possible application of the EROs.

 

5.      Procurement:  The City will implement vehicle procurement practices that are heavily focused on the acquisition of environmentally responsible vehicles and equipment. As opposed to focusing on lowest initial purchase price, procurement will favour the purchase of green vehicles as a standard practice where economically feasible. Life cycle costing, fuel efficiency and emissions will become part of the scoring criteria for tenders. This will be coordinated with the procurement practices currently being reviewed by the Environmental Sustainability Division and will result.

 

6.      Green Fleet Capital Account:  The City recommends establishment of a “green fleet capital account,” as a 2010 Strategic Initiative, in the amount of $500,000 for piloting fuel efficient and reduced emissions technologies that are not yet affordable or proven, but that appear promising and may become commercially available in 3-5 years.  This account would cover the cost of acquiring the equipment itself and of analyzing its appropriateness and efficiency for the City of Ottawa fleet.

 

7.      Benchmarking & Tracking:  The City will improve its reporting to be more proactive in making managers aware of problem vehicles.  This will include implementing a “fleet benchmarking program”.  Such a program would allow the City of Ottawa to track fuel and generate weekly or monthly performance evaluations so that problems can be resolved quickly

 

8.      Training Review:  The City will conduct a review of its fleet training programs in order to ascertain what additional fuel efficiency training will be offered to City fleet drivers and what would be required to do so.

 

9.      Pilot Programs & Funding Sources:  The City will use pilot programs wherever appropriate to test unproven technologies and continue to monitor potential funding sources including those identified in Section 6 and others that may emerge.  These will be used to bolster the business case for implementing individual options.

 

MFERS Longer Term Strategies

 

1.      Monitor Emerging Technologies:  The City will continue to monitor and track developments in propulsion systems and other emerging technologies in order to ensure that its fleet acquisitions and practices will allow it to analyze, test and implement these emerging technologies as they come into the mainstream.

2.      Pilot Testing:  The City proposes to use the Green Fleet Capital Account and the funding sources identified in Section 6 to test emerging technologies in pilot projects wherever applicable.  Ottawa’s harsh winters could make the City’s municipal fleet an attractive testing ground for new technologies.

3.      Carbon Credits:  The City will continue to monitor the carbon credit program for possible application and benefit to the City.

4.  Heavy Hybrids:  The City will plan to introduce hybrid technology in the medium and heavy fleet in the 2015-2020 timeframe.

 

Green Municipal Fleet Plan - Action Plan

 

To put all these strategies in action, the Green Municipal Fleet Plan provides 24 distinct action plans. These action plans are categorized in an impact matrix, which details the multiple impacts that each item will generate. There are nine high-priority items that are being recommended for immediate implementation. If implemented, the action plans contained within the GMFP and detailed below have the potential to create operational savings and to reduce over 3,000 tonnes of emissions by 2012. This would result in a corporate emissions reduction of 33% by the City’s 2012 target date, which is 3% over the revised corporate target. A reduction of 1,000 tonnes of GHG’s translates into the removal of 250 mid-size vehicles with an average of 20,000 km per year.  The GMFP has the potential to remove the equivalent of 750 mid-size vehicles from the transportation sector. 

 

High-Priority Action Plans from the Green Municipal Fleet Plan

 

Detailed descriptions of the high-priority action items for immediate implementation are provided below with a summary table attached as Document 1.

 

Action Plan 3 - Reinstitute Ethanol blended (at 10%) gasoline at City fuel sites:

Most City fuel sites were converted to allow the use of ethanol blended gasoline at a 10% ratio and the City subsequently procured E-10 gasoline at a premium cost for several years.   Beginning in 2007, the Ontario government legislated an annual average[3] of 5% ethanol in all gasoline sold in the province, as a key measure in reducing GHGs, and indicated that 10% may be mandatory by 2010.  The City no longer specifies an ethanol content in bulk gasoline procurements, thereby realizing a cost avoidance because of the premium charged for E-10 gasoline in the Ottawa market. As the use of ethanol will reduce the GHG emissions by 2 to 3%, it is recommended to re-introduce ethanol fuel for use by the Municipal Fleet vehicle in 2010.

 

Action Plan 4- Re-introduce bio-Diesel fuel for use at City Fuel Sites

In 2007, a successful renewable biofuel demonstration was carried out using a 5% soy-based bioDiesel blend (B5), during which time a trial group of City buses at the St. Laurent transit garage, consumed over 2.9 million litres of B5.  The trial started in the spring 2007 and ran to the end of the year, with a corresponding reduction in life cycle GHG emissions of over 300 tonnes.  The trial was discontinued and the City no longer specifies Bio content in any Diesel procurements, thereby realizing a cost avoidance because of the premium charged for bioDiesel in the Ottawa market. The trial included a significant period of cold weather operation; problems were not experienced.  Based on the results from the demonstration, a successful introduction of bioDiesel would also be expected for the municipal Diesel-powered fleet. The government of Canada is contemplating a B2 requirement (2% bio component in the Diesel fuel) by the year 2012. As the use of bio Diesel will reduce the GHG emissions by 983 tonnes, it is recommended to re-introduce bio-Diesel fuel for use by the Municipal Fleet vehicle in 2010.

 

This report also recommends that Paramedic Rescue Units be retrofitted with ESPAR heaters, which are diesel-fired heating systems to heat the cab thereby eliminating the need to idle the engine for heat.

 

Action Plan 6- Evaluate electric vehicle and equipment technologies:

 

While electric hybrid vehicles are currently available as full production units, the dedicated plug-in vehicles are not. Although there are a number of reasons (battery capacity and cost being the major ones), the expectation is that these vehicles will become available in the near future. Likely they will first come in the form of a plug-in hybrid, but are almost certain to mature into wholly electrical zero emissions units. Another application that is maturing is the ice resurfacer used in some ice rinks.

 

The current standard for ice resurfacer is propane or CNG, however, battery electric units are now starting to prove themselves. Fleet will be tendering for 2 electric units in 2010. In order for an arena to be able to accommodate an ice resurfacer powered by an internal combustion engine, significant ventilation and make-up air units must be installed and operated. The City of Ottawa is currently working on plans for a double pad arena in the West end. While there is still a significant cost to electric ice resurfacers, the potential offset in operating cost of the building as well as the unit itself may well present a compelling case. As the use of electric vehicles will not produce GHG emissions, it is recommended to introduce electric vehicle as a trial by the Municipal Fleet vehicle in 2010.

 

Action Plan 7- Focus the vehicle replacement program on pre-1998 vehicles:

 

Vehicle technologies are advancing at a rapid rate. Significant milestones in emissions standards were made in 2004, 2007, with the next scheduled for 2010. Similar units purchased 10 or more years ago have a significantly worse environmental performance, even if maintained optimally. A clear majority, or 53.98%, of all fuel-burning units in the City of Ottawa municipal fleet are between 0 and 5 years old; only a small percentage, 4.09%, are 15 years or older. The average age of the municipal fleet has decreased slightly from 2004 to 2008. In 2008, the average age of the fleet was 5.6 years while the average age of the fleet in 2004 was 6.2 years. As the use of these vehicles will reduce GHG emissions, it is recommended to put new vehicles in service as part of the Municipal Fleet vehicle in 2010.

 

Action Plan 19- Increase use of Hybrid Vehicles:

 

Hybrid vehicles in various light fleet classes are readily available today from Ford (such as the Escape and Fusion Hybrid) and GM (such as the Saturn Vue, and Chevrolet Malibu) as well as other manufacturers (Toyota, Honda etc.). The City has currently one Ford Escape Hybrid with enough data for trend analysis. Compared to a regular Ford Escape, this Hybrid unit has shown a fuel saving of better than 28%.      

A Hybrid Ford Escape at a fuel savings of 28% would have the potential to save $1,150 annually on fuel over a 160,000 KM life (6.6 years) compared to a Ford F150 pickup truck.

o          Based on the current replacement schedule, there is the following potential:

Year

Hybrid

Fuel savings

Annual fuel savings

GHG

Reduction

2010

21

$1,150

$24,150

33.66 T

2011

21

$1,150

$24,150

33.66 T



 

 

 

o       As the use of these vehicles will reduce GHG emissions and fuel costs, it is recommended to put hybrid vehicles in service as part of the Municipal Fleet vehicle in 2010.

 

Action Plan 20: Institute a Fleet policy that will favour the purchase of green vehicles as a standard practice, where such products are available within required delivery dates and are cost effective.

 

Significant reductions in fuel consumption, GHG and criteria air contaminants are achievable through the fleet vehicle replacement program in the near to mid term, as greener more fuel efficient vehicles emerge.  Magnitude of reduction is dependent on the rate of vehicle replacement.   It is therefore recommended to ensure that purchasing decisions include green vehicles and equipment and that the City procurement policy be adjusted accordingly.  Supply Branch has confirmed that the Purchasing By-law is structured to allow for tailored procurement criteria/best value based on client’s needs and Fleet Services would propose to amend its policy subject to approval of this action by Council.

 

Action Plan 21: Introduce “Life cycle costing” in the vehicle and equipment procurement process;

 

The City has generally procured vehicles using “lowest initial cost” tenders, which does not generally take fuel efficiency or “lifecycle costing” into account. New green technologies may be more costly in initial purchase cost, but may deliver savings in long-term operating and / or maintenance cost. In order to be able to factor this into the purchasing decision, it is therefore recommended tendering and award procedures be adjusted.

 

Action Plan 22: Using a “right-sizing” approach when procuring vehicles

“Rightsizing" will be applied in the vehicle and equipment procurement process; vehicle specifications will be closely matched with actual application requirements. Traditionally vehicle specifications were determined by the most severe application the unit may be required for; now the typical use will form the basis of the specification unless otherwise authorized. This could result in significant fuel consumption savings. For example, purchasing a two-wheel drive instead of an all- or four-wheel drive vehicle can reduce fuel consumption by 5 to 10%. It is therefore recommended to ensure that procurement decisions include consideration for the purchase of the right vehicle for the mission at hand.

 

Action Plan 23: Establishing a “Green Fleet Capital Account”

                 

A “Green Fleet Capital Account” must be established. This capital account will be used to fund additional or premium acquisition cost differentials for “green” vs. regular acquisitions. This fund would also fund environmental retrofits and piloting of promising new technologies. This fund would be replenished by annual capital infusions to be identified in the annual capital budgets. External funding opportunities will be pursued where possible. It is therefore recommended a one-time “seed” funding in the amount of $500,000 be provided.

 

Medium/Low Priority Action Items from the Green Municipal Fleet Plan

The medium and low priority action plans from the GMFP will become the focus upon completion of the high-priority action items identified above. These action plans are summarized in Document 2 - Medium/Low Priority Action Items Impact Matrix.

 

CONSULTATION

 

The Environmental Sustainability Branch

There are 186 municipalities across Canada, including Ottawa, whose Councils have committed to reduce its GHGs.  Municipal governments have an important contribution to make to climate protection; up to half of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are under the direct or indirect control or influence of municipal governments.

The City of Ottawa as a corporation has met its 2007 target of 20% GHG reduction below 1990 levels and Environmental Sustainability will be bringing forward another target to Council in September. We have had discussions with key departments and have agreed that a 30% reduction is attainable by 2012.

 

In terms of our City's community GHGs are based on our inventory using 2004 data, Ottawa is currently at 5% above 1990 levels.  The goal was set at 20% below 1990 levels by 2012.

 

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

 

There are no legal/risk management impediments to the implementation of this Report's recommendations.

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The 24 Green Municipal Fleet Recommendations/Action Items will have impacts on future annual operating and capital budgets as identified in the report.   These additional funding requirements will be included in future draft budgets.

 

Subject to Committee and Council approval of this report, the 2010 draft-operating budget will include the additional costs for the following initiatives:

·        $30,000 for 10% ethanol blended gasoline;

·        $350,000 for Bio-Diesel; and

·        $50,000 for Bio-fuel tanks (for both ethanol and Diesel).

 

In addition, the 2010 draft capital budget will include under the Strategic Initiative category, $500,000 for the Green Fleet capital program and $100,000 for Paramedic Rescue Units ESPAR heater retrofits.

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Document 1 - High-Priority Action Plans from the Green Municipal Fleet Plan

Document 2 - Medium-Low Priority Action Items Impact Matrix

 

DISPOSITION

 

The Public Works Department will implement the recommendations as approved by Council.

 


Document 1

 

High-Priority Action Plans from the Green Municipal Fleet Plan

 

Action Item

Associated Cost

Primary Benefit

GHG Reduction

Financial Savings

 

Action Item 1

Reinstitute Ethanol Blended at 10% at City fuel sites

$30,000
(based on 2008 consumption at a premium of $0.01 per litre)

2,092t GHG reduction (based on 2007 consumption rates of 2.9 million L)

* If E10 is specified in the procurement process

 

Best cost-effective option for optimising reduction of GHG

Action Item 4

Reinstitute bio-Diesel fuel for use at City fuel sites

$218,000-350,000

(based on 2008 consumption of Clear and Coloured Diesel at a premium of 0.04 per litre)

 

374t for 5% Soya blend (based on 2007 consumption rates of 2,882,633L)

Second-best cost-effective option for optimising reduction of GHG

Action Item 6
Evaluate electric vehicle and equipment technologies

$160,000 per unit

 

60kg of GHG for 30,000 (propane minus electricity usage)

$1,400 annual savings per unit based on electricity charges vs. gas prices.  Longer life expectancy based on electric engine. Reduced cost of maintenance and repair. Estimated $2,000 savings.

 

Action Item 7

Focus the vehicle replacement program on pre-1998 vehicles

N/A

 

The current schedule would be maintained but the focus would be on older units

 

 

 

180t of GHG

(Based on current vehicle replacement program there are 80 vehicles to be replaced by 2012)

 

Efficient/newer units have the opportunity for reduced fuel and maintenance costs.  Expected to save $129,375 per year.

Action Item 19

Increase use of hybrid vehicles

 

The average premium for a Ford Escape Hybrid vs. Traditional unit is 20% or, $4,500

 

 

 

1t per vehicle

A fuel savings of 28%.  There is a potential to save $1,150 annually over a 160,000k life (6.6 years), or $72,450 per year for the fleet.

 

Action Item 20

Institute a fleet policy that will favour the purchase of  “green” vehicles

N/A

No direct calculable GHG reduction but the policy stands to assist with overall “greening” of Municipal Fleet

N/A

Action Item 21
Introduce life-cycle costing in the procurement process

No direct cost associated with the implementation of life cycle costing. Green technologies may be more costly in initial purchase once procurement process is in effect

 

 

No direct calculable GHG reduction but the policy stands to assist with overall “greening” of Municipal Fleet

Opportunity for long-term operational and maintenance savings. Expected savings of $155,000 per year.

Action Item 22

Apply “right-sizing” in the vehicle procurement process 

N/A

 

 

1-2 t per vehicle annually. This would total 172-344t based on 2009 Replacement Program

5-10% reduction of fuel consumption.  $378, 400 to $756,800 saving per year based on a cost of $0.86 per litre.

Action Item 23

Establish a “Green Fleet” Capital Account

500,000

N/A

Required to trial technology that may have financial benefits when deployed fleet wide such as hydraulics garbage collection trucks.

 


Document 2

 

Medium/Low Priority Action Items

 

Action Item

Impact

$ Benefit / Cost

Primary benefit

Criteria emissions

GHG

Timing, duration - completion

Action Item 1 Analyse fuel consumption

N/A

Report next year

Identify units that do not perform to expectation

No direct impact

No direct impact

One year, - then evaluate

Action Item 2 Continue replacement of in- ground fuel tanks

$675,000 annually / $70,000 to $350,000 per site, funded from BAM

Significant savings, strategic reserve, while keeping environmental risk to a minimum

Some reduction due to reduced driving to get fuel and reduced idling time

Some reduction due to reduced driving to get fuel and reduced idling time

Complete in 2009

Action Item 5 Monitor developments in Propane, CNG, and hydrogen

 

 

 

N/A

Report next year

Keep abreast of potential developing technologies

N/A

N/A

N/A

Action Item 8 Institute an oil and lubrication-monitoring program

 

N/A

Report next year

Potential reduction in lubricating oil use and maintenance costs

N/A

N/A

One year pilot – Dec. 2010

Action Item 9 Institute a pilot to monitor Diesel emissions

N/A

Report next year

Potential reduction in emissions and fuel consumption

TBD

TBD

One year pilot – Dec. 2010

Action Item 10 Continue monitoring fleet fuel consumption statistics

TBD N/A

Report next year

Identify high fuel consumption units, correct or replace as appropriate

Potential reduction

Potential reduction

N/A

Action Item 11 Institute a pilot to monitor tire pressure

N/A

Report next year

Potentially reduce fuel consumption due to under inflated tires

Potential reduction of 3% relative to potential fuel savings

Potential reduction of 3% relative to potential fuel savings

One year pilot – Dec. 2010

Action Item 12 Initiate a tire assessment program

N/A

Report next year

Reduced tire wear and lower fuel consumption

Potential reduction relative to potential fuel savings

Potential reduction relative to potential fuel savings

6 months after approval – June 2011

Action Item 13 Evaluate potential applications for single, wide tires

N/A

Report next year

Reduced fuel consumption (estimated at 6% in highway applications)

Potential reduction relative to potential fuel savings estimated at 0.08 Km\L

Potential reduction relative to potential fuel savings estimated at 0.08 Km\L

6 months after approval – N/A

Action Item 14 Initiate an assessment program to identify the rolling resistance

N/A

Report next year

Reduced fuel consumption (estimated at 1.5%)

Potential reduction relative to potential fuel savings

Potential reduction relative to potential fuel savings

6 months after approval – N/A

Action Item 15 Identify and evaluate potential candidates for a retrofit program

N/A

Report next year

Environmental

Significant reduction depending on application

N/A

Installations 6 months after approval

Action Item 16 Monitor emerging and improving technologies

N/A

Report next year

Potential for future efficiencies from new or improved technologies

N/A

N/A

N/A

Action Item 17 Install idling control equipment

N/A

Report next year

Reduced fuel consumption, lower emissions, lower maintenance

Potential reduction relative to potential fuel savings

Potential reduction relative to potential fuel savings

Installations 6 months after approval

Action Item 18  Evaluate the cost of a clean Diesel option

Apply where benefit is greater than the cost

Reduced life cost, lower emissions

Potential reduction relative to potential fuel savings

Potential reduction relative to potential fuel savings

N/A

Action Item 24 Fleet Services will establish a code system

N/A

Report next year

Enable quantifiable tracking of the Fleet environmental performance

N/A

N/A

Sep. 2009 – Sep. 2010

 



[1] Partners for Climate Protection http://www.sustainablecommunities.fcm.ca/Partners-for-Climate-Protection/

[2] City of Ottawa Environmental Strategy – 2.1 Global Environment Trends and Commitments

[3] This average is calculated at the refinery output. This means that individual shipments may vary between 0 and 10%, as long as the overall total adds up to 5%. The City of Ottawa currently specifies regular unleaded gasoline in its tender, and the current supplier (Suncor) has confirmed that all gasoline currently sold to the City contains 0% ethanol.