Driving change towards a greener future

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Ottawa is creating a cleaner environment by transitioning to a zero-emissions fleet.

This feature story is part of the City of Ottawa Service Reviews: an initiative aimed at ensuring our services are meeting your needs. Visit ottawa.ca/YourIdeas today.

Every day, hundreds of vehicles are at work for the City of Ottawa – mowing lawns, sweeping streets, transporting equipment, collecting garbage, clearing snow and much more. From sunrise to sunset, and even through the night, they help keep our city running.

But change is in the air — and under the hood.

Earlier this year, City Council approved the new Green Fleet Strategy, which outlines our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by municipal vehicles. The goal of this strategy is to reduce GHG emissions by 100 per cent below 2012 levels, in line with the City’s broader Climate Change Master Plan.

This strategy aims to transition the majority of the City’s fleet from gas-powered vehicles to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2040 through the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), where they meet operational needs.

We are already making progress towards this goal with 252 fleet vehicles being either BEVs or hybrid vehicles, representing about nine per cent of our total fleet.


Three identical green fleet vehicles are parked in a row in a lot, with a minivan partially visible in the background.


To guide this transition, the strategy uses an agile framework, with technology reviews scheduled at least every five years. This review process allows the City to quickly incorporate emerging technologies and stay ahead of industry trends.

“The strength of our agile strategy is that it gives us the flexibility to adjust as new and emerging technologies become available,” says Neil Grandy, Manager of Fleet Maintenance and Technical Services. “When we review technologies in five years, we will be able to refine our approach to align with market direction and operational needs, while staying true to our long-term objectives.”

In his role, Neil oversees the procurement and maintenance of many City vehicles that residents may not encounter very often, like the cars and trucks driven by by-law enforcement officers and park maintenance staff. He has also played an instrumental role in creating and championing the Green Fleet Strategy.

“This strategy has many unique challenges, but also many opportunities for innovation,” says Neil. “At the end of the day, what matters most is ensuring that the technology we provide supports our partners and their operational needs.”


Neil Grandy stands in front of a row of four different green fleet vehicles in a parking lot.


This strategy not only requires transitioning to new vehicles, it also requires new infrastructure to support them. That is why we continue to invest in expanding our EV charging network and providing specialized training for our fleet technicians, mechanics and end users.

Overall, the switch to greener vehicles is expected to save the City more than $6 million by 2040.

While the transition to a zero-emissions fleet has only just begun, Neil and his Fleet Services team continue to explore emerging technologies like hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, which will play a role in our fleet in the future.

Whether it is hybrid, electric or hydrogen-powered, every vehicle adopted as part of this strategy supports a single goal: creating a cleaner environment for everyone who calls our city home. “I want to see an improved environment for my family, for other families and for everyone who lives here,” says Neil. With every new green vehicle added to our fleet, we move one step closer to realizing that vision.



Your city, your ideas! 


Working towards a zero-emission fleet is just one part of the City’s plan to create a green and resilient city. By actively seeking out and using green technology, we are reducing our emissions footprint and creating a cleaner and healthier environment for residents.

Do you have a suggestion for how Ottawa can become more green and resilient? You can share your ideas on how this or other City services could be improved to support sustainability and resilience at engage.ottawa.ca/GreenAndResilient. 



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