City steers toward expanding green fleet

The city is moving to increase its green fleet of hybrid and environmentally-friendlier vehicles.

Nearly a quarter of the city's almost 1,600 vehicles are green vehicles that use electricity, natural gas or bio-diesel.

The public works committee gave initial sign-off yesterday on a plan to increase contributions to the green fleet reserve by an additional 3 per cent in the next two years. Staff believes the increased cost, about $170,000, can be offset by gas savings.

The city is also investing in training to teach staff how their driving, such as speed and air conditioning use, affects emissions and fuel usage. Hamilton has the second largest green fleet in Ontario. In three years, the city's central fleet has cut greenhouse emissions by 546 metric tonnes -- the equivalent of eliminating the use of 45 vehicles.