The City of Gosnells has moved to switch its light fleet to hybrid vehicles, with a view to progressing to fully electric vehicles in a few years’ time.
Mayor Terresa Lynes said from this point forward, any new or replacement light fleet vehicle at the City will be selected from a list of hybrid vehicles.
“While hybrid and electric vehicles have been around for a while, this change represents a big step in the City’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels,” she said.
“With the price of fuel at an all-time high and expected to increase even further, introducing hybrid and electric vehicles will significantly reduce the City’s fuel use and make the fleet more affordable to run.”
With up to 50 light fleet vehicles at the City, such as cars and utes, these benefits add up quickly. With 10 to 12 vehicles replaced every year, the entire light vehicle fleet will be replaced within five years, by which time the City hopes to be introducing fully electric vehicles.
The switch is one of many ways in which the City is working to reduce carbon emissions and support a cleaner, greener future.
Last financial year, solar panels on the City’s buildings produced 366,761 kWh, saving $80,687 and reducing carbon emissions by 249,397kg. This financial year, the City signed up to the WA Local Government Association’s Power Purchase agreement which will power 23 of the City’s highest energy consuming sites with renewable energy.
