Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s Drives Towards Zero-Carbon
Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s Drives Towards Zero-Carbon
Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s, NL – In a move towards sustainable practices and environmental stewardship, the Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s proud to announce the integration of six new electric vehicles (EVs) and six new charging stations into its municipal fleet. One of several initiatives from the Town’s Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation plans, this initiative marks a pivotal step forward in the Town’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and fostering eco-friendly operations.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund provides funding to municipalities to lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions. In collaboration with Fundamental Inc., it was determined that the funding was an ideal fit for both the Town’s vehicle replacement needs and environmental reduction initiatives. The total project cost was $456,800 with FCM contributing 80% of the total cost of the EVs, and the Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s contributing 16% in cash and 4% in renumeration. This initiative was also supported by the NL Hydro EV Charger rebate which reduced the cost of the acquisition and installation of the chargers by 50%.
The Town’s small upfront investment per vehicle (less than a replacement of a gas vehicle), will save an estimated $5,500 or more per year in fuel and will prevent over 25 tonnes of Greenhouse Gas Emissions per year. In addition, the new vehicles will lead to a decrease in the frequency and cost of maintenance.
In a letter of support from Drive Electric NL, “We are proud that PCSP has taken such initiative and believe that their ambition will encourage other municipalities, fleet-operators, and the general public to follow suit.”
The commitment by Council marks an important step in the Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s goal to decarbonize its fleet, and reduce its corporate carbon footprint by 2030. In December 2023, two of the six EVs arrived at Town Hall. Two Ford F-150 Lightning pickup trucks mark the next phase in meeting the Town’s climate change and greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Mayor Carol McDonald and CAO Jody Murray expressed enthusiasm on behalf of council and town staff for this transformative initiative, stating “The introduction of electric vehicles into our municipal fleet underscores our unwavering commitment to sustainability. We are proud to lead by example in the province by embracing innovative, eco-friendly practices that prioritize environmental stewardship.”
The EVs are expected to be integrated into operations by early 2024, and will complete essential work across the municipality while eliminating noise pollution and incorporating initiatives of the Town’s Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation plan. The remaining EVs, two Ford F-150 Lightning pickup trucks and two Volkswagen ID4 SUVs, will be delivered in 2024.
To learn more about the Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s commitment to climate action and sustainability efforts, please visit www.pcsp.ca/climate-change
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For Media Inquiries, Contact:
Laura Barnes
Communications Coordinator
Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s
709-895-8000 ext. 268