As the volume of personal vehicles on Arizona roadways continues
to grow, cities must discover new ways to reduce traffic and promote
alternative modes of transportation. Vehicle emissions are a leading
cause of air pollution influencing climate change. Although electric
vehicles (EVs) do not necessarily reduce traffic, they do offer the ability
for drivers to decrease toxic emissions and lower noise pollution. EVs
are suitable for corporate business travel. EVs may be the right choice
for municipalities to consider for local travel needs, such as for meetings,
routes, and deliveries. They enable cities to reduce their carbon footprint,
lower maintenance costs, and demonstrate an investment in more
sustainable technologies. Many different types of organizations and
companies are electrifying their fleets and experiencing positive results.
The City of Glendale has identified an opportunity to jumpstart this
transition as they examine new options for upgrading their existing fleet.
Students in the PUP 424 Planning Methods course researched fleet electrification strategy. They were divided into subtopic groups covering city employee perceptions of EVs, a cost comparison of EVs versus combustion-engine vehicles, and benchmarking of EV fleets in other cities in the US, companies, and organizations.