Environmentally Sustainable Fleet Action Plan AUTHOR Genevieve Wilson DEPARTMENT Environmental Services DATE CREATED March 2011 DATE REVISED N/A DATE APPROVED BY EXECUTIVE TEAM 7 April 2011 DATE ADOPTED BY COUNCIL N/A NEXT REVIEW DATE June 2012
1. Introduction Waverley Council s vehicle fleet comprises a diverse array of heavy plant, ranging from trucks to garbage compactors, street sweeping vehicles and the beach tractor rake. In addition, there are a number of light commercial, passenger vehicles and bicycles available for staff to utilize to undertake their duties, for example building inspections, ranger patrols, site visits and similar. Waverley Council owns the heavy plant and trucks and currently leases the light commercial and passenger vehicles from LeasePlan Australia. Council also owns a bicycle fleet for staff use. Sundry plant items such as mowers, beachbikes and jetski s have not been included as they have negligible fuel use compared to fleet vehicles. The main environmental impacts of Council s vehicle fleet include greenhouse gas emissions associated with fuel consumption and air quality associated with exhaust emissions. This Action Plan focuses on addressing these. Additional environmental impacts include noise and vibrations, odour and visual amenity. Council has proactively managed its vehicle fleet to minimize these environmental impacts since the 1990s. This was formalized in a Fleet Environmental Management System (EMS) in 2004, with rigorous annual testing informing management improvements since this time. Council s over-arching greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 30% by 2020 is outlined in the Waverley Council Environmental Action Plan (EAP2). In order to meet this target, Council fleet emissions need to be reduced to 1,188 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO 2 e) by 2020. This equates to a reduction of 161 tonnes of CO 2 e from 2009/10 levels. This Environmentally Sustainable Fleet Action Plan (Action Plan) focuses on outlining Council s fleet efficiency achievements and identifies further actions, as well as walking, cycling and public transport alternatives for staff. It is anticipated that implementation of these actions will enable Council to meet the fleet component of Council s greenhouse gas emission target and that these actions will be incorporated into EAP2. This Action Plan has been developed in order to meet NSW Government Waste and Sustainability Improvement Program requirements.
2. Actions Target: To reduce Council vehicle fleet greenhouse gas emissions to 1,188 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2020 PROCESS & MONITORING P1 Develop and implement Fleet Policy Develop fleet policy including criteria for considering new vehicle fleet item ST B&S, ES Policy adopted : new vehicle selection currently informed by annual emission testing report, Green Vehicle Guide ratings and cost effectiveness. P2 Procurement process Incorporate environmental conditions into fleet procurement process ST B&S Incorporated into fleet procurement process On track: vehicles 3.5 tonnes or less are required to have a Green Vehicle Guide combined air pollutant and greenhouse rating of 10 or greater. All new model heavy vehicles (greater than 3.5 tonnes) are required to be compliant with Euro 5 emission standards. Opportunity to review and document requirements when developing the Fleet Policy. This should include minimum fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission requirements for both heavy and light vehicles.
P3 Review fleet vehicle selection list annually Review emissions of vehicles on selection list annually Ongoing B&S Fleet vehicle selection list reviewed annually On track: emissions testing on a sample of fleet vehicles has been undertaken annually since 2004. Analysis and recommendations inform review of fleet vehicle selection list. Consideration given to the environmental performance and cost return of the vehicle over its' fleet lifetime. P4 Fleet and fuel monitoring Monitor and review vehicle fleet fuel use by fuel type and vehicle type, number of fleet vehicles, average Green Vehicle Guide greenhouse rating and air quality rating annually Ongoing ES, B&S Fleet vehicle fuel use data available On track: fuel use collected via: Ozfleet (Leaseplan vehicles), and Triscan fuel monitoring system (Council s heavy plant and trucks) and LeasePlan Australia provide quarterly data (light commercial and passenger vehicles). Fuel use monitoring, annual emissions testing and Green Vehicle Guide ratings informs new fleet selection list. P5 Greenhouse gas emissions monitoring Monitor, review and communicate fleet greenhouse gas emissions annually Ongoing ES, B&S Greenhouse gas emissions On track: increase use of CCAP to measure progress against fleet greenhouse gas emission reduction target. Feedback results to staff. Ensure responsibility allocated to a Council Officer. P6 Staff survey Undertake staff transport survey annually to increase awareness of and determine Ongoing ES Staff survey undertaken and results : staff transport survey previously undertaken in 2007. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FLEET ACTION PLAN 4
the effectiveness of programs to encourage changes in staff travel modes and fleet vehicle management analysed VEHICLE FLEET & USE V1 More fuel efficient fleet vehicles Substitute fleet vehicles with more fuel efficient vehicles Ongoing B&S Average fuel efficiency of fleet vehicles On track: fuel efficient 4 cylinder vehicles incentivised over 6-cylinder and heavier, higher engine capacity 4 cylinder vehicles via scaled leaseback fees. Opportunity exists to substitute heavy vehicles with more fuel efficient vehicles upon replacement. Anticipate 6-7 trucks requiring replacement in 2011/12. V2 Fuel substitution in fleet vehicles Implement strategies to use low emission fuel sources in the vehicle fleet Ongoing B&S Fleet vehicle fuel use by fuel type & greenhouse gas emissions On track: 20 diesel, 19 Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and 55 unleaded petrol (ULP) vehicles; ethanol blended petroleum accessible to ULP vehicles; biodiesel investigated but concerns about fleet warranties; electric/petroleum hybrid vehicles trialed for several years but not cost effective over fleet lifetime; hydrogen and rechargeable electric vehicles not currently commercially available and/or cost effective over fleet lifetime. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FLEET ACTION PLAN 5
V3 Particle filter retrofit Implement strategies to reduce vehicle particle emissions ST B&S fleet vehicles retrofitted On track: particulate oxidation catalysts (POCs) retrofitted to 7 heavy plant and trucks in collaboration with the Roads and Traffic Authority 2009 Diesel Retrofit program. These trap and oxidize up to 50% particulate matter and control noise; investigating participation in Clean Machine Project to retrofit non-road diesel engines with particle filters. V4 Moped/scooter/ motorbike vehicles Investigate feasibility of substituting selected fleet vehicles with moped/scooter/motorbike MT B&S, HR&OD Feasibility study completed V5 Review vehicle allocation Review allocation of vehicle to a position as it is vacated Ongoing B&S, ES fleet vehicles On track: fleet vehicle allocation reviewed when position vacated. Currently have a combination of 96 passenger/light commercial vehicles and 43 heavy vehicles. Fleet vehicle numbers have been stable. V6 Corporate carshare system Investigate corporate carshare system to share Council leaseback vehicles for work purposes during work hours in order to utilise vehicle fleet ST HR&OD, ES, GMO hours corporate carshare vehicles ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FLEET ACTION PLAN 6
more effectively utilised V7 Commercial carshare membership Encourage commercial carshare provider to establish carshare pod(s) near Council facilities and become a corporate member. Promote service to staff ST ES, HR&OD Carshare available and hours of use by Council : one commercial carshare space approved for outside Chambers. V8 Driver training Implement a driver training and/or awareness program to educate drivers about efficient driving styles that will improve fuel consumption and increase driver safety and awareness LT B&S, ES drivers trained V9 Carpooling Investigate a carpooling system for Council staff/workplaces LT ES System operational ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT INCENTIVES & RESOURCES A1 Travel pass options Maintain the loan system for purchase of travel passes and identify opportunities to increase uptake MT HR&OD Proportion of staff obtaining loan to On track: Council purchases annual travelpasses on behalf of staff who pay back costs incrementally. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FLEET ACTION PLAN 7
purchase travel pass A2 Vehicle offset allowance option Offer vehicle offset allowance in lieu of a leaseback vehicle ST HR&OD, B&S Vehicle offset offered Completed: positions eligible for a vehicle are entitled to a competitive vehicle offset payment in lieu of a leaseback vehicle. A3 Travel Access Guides (TAGs) to Council facilities Develop TAGs outlining all modes of sustainable and active transport to key Council facilities for dissemination to staff ST ES TAGs drafted : opportunity to include these in new starter packs as well as to existing staff. A4 Provide staff shower facilities Install/upgrade showers at key facilities to encourage walking and cycling to work ST BS&P Council facilities with showers On track: Council Chambers 2 showers existing plus 3 purpose built shower facilities planned; Customer Service Centre has showers upstairs in Tech Services; showers available at Mill Hill and Library, multiple shower facilities available at Bondi Pavilion and Depot. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FLEET ACTION PLAN 8
A5 Provide secure bicycle parking Install/upgrade bicycle storage at key Council facilities Ongoing ES Council facilities with bicycle racks, lockers or compounds On track: Council Chambers 2 bike racks (front & back), 4 bike lockers; Library 1 bike rack; Mill Hill 1 bike rack; Officeworks building 1 bike locker (for power assist fleet bike); 2 bike racks; Customer Service Centre 2 bike racks; Bondi Pavilion several bike racks. A6 Electric bicycle trial Trial use of electric bicycle for local work related trips MT ES kilometres travelled by electric bicycle(s) On track: electric bicycle has been available at Mill Hill since 2007. Use of odometer to be reinforced. Potential to trial the electric bicycle at other sites and monitor usage. A7 Bicycle fleet Provide and maintain bicycle fleet for local work related trips Ongoing ES kilometres travelled by bicycle fleet On track: 2 bikes maintained at Council Chambers, 1 electric bike at Mill Hill. Bicycle lockers, training & helmets. Regular servicing and replacement first aid kits plus puncture kits required. A8 Bicycle skills education program Implement staff education program to encourage cycling and safety Ongoing ES bicycle course attendees On track: courses held regularly that the community or staff can attend. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FLEET ACTION PLAN 9
A9 Regional bicycle route map Provide a bicycle route map for Waverley Local Government Area (LGA) and surrounding region ST ES Bicycle map available On track: Review existing Cycling in Waverley and Woollahra map www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/ data/assets/pdf _file/0018/7524/cycleroutemapbrochure.pdf A10 Bike path/lanes implementation Implement expansion and /or upgrade of bicycle paths and /or lanes identified in Waverley Bike Plan LT TS, M&C bicycle routes implemented On track: routes 1, 2, 5 & 6 partially completed; Routes 3 & 4 commenced. A11 Walking route maps Provide walking route maps for Waverley LGA and surrounding region Ongoing ES Walking maps available On track: review existing Walking in Waverley and Woollahra map www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/ data/assets/pdf _file/0018/7533/walking.pdf. Take into account local history walks. A12 Bicycle route signage Audit & install directional signage along bicycle routes LT ES, TS Directional signage installed A13 Walking route signage Audit & install directional signage along walking routes LT ES, TS Directional signage installed A14 Staff bicycle Investigate and obtain discounts to encourage staff LT ES Bicycle incentives ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FLEET ACTION PLAN 10
incentives bicycle use available A15 Staff walking incentives Investigate and obtain discounts to encourage staff walking LT ES Walking incentives available A16 Virtual meetings Investigate the feasibility of enabling staff to hold virtual meetings e.g. Skype, etc LT F&IS&S Feasibility study completed A17 Work from home guidelines Provide work from home guidelines to support staff to work from home ST HR&OD Guidelines available Completed. 2008 version available on controlled documents. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FLEET ACTION PLAN 11
3. Glossary of Terms Fleet vehicles: for the purposes of this action plan, includes vehicles under Waverley Council operating leases with LeasePlan Australia as well as Council owned vehicles including heavy plant and vehicles such as garbage compactors, street sweepers and beach tractor rake. It does not include sundry plant items such as mowers, beachbikes and jetski s which have negligible fuel use compared to fleet vehicles. Green Vehicle Guide rating: the overall star rating (out of five stars) combines both the air pollution and greenhouse rating. An air pollution rating of 10 is derived from the emission standard to which it is certified in Australia. Under the emission standards, vehicles fuelled by petrol, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or natural gas (NG) vehicles are required to meet limits for the emission of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NO x ). In addition to these pollutants, diesel vehicles must also meet a limit for the emission of particulate matter (PM). The air pollution ratings also take into account the relative health impact of each of these pollutants (Commonwealth of Australia, 2010, www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au). A Greenhouse Gas Emission rating out of 10 is derived from the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions value. The level of CO 2 emissions is linked to the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle, and the type of fuel used.
Petrol-electric hybrid vehicles: store energy in on-board battery systems and use this stored electrical energy instead of petrol in parts of the vehicle drive cycle. This reduces overall fuel consumption and therefore emissions of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Leaseback vehicle: a motor vehicle supplied by Waverley Council to a staff member under a leaseback agreement. Motor vehicle emissions: When fuel is burnt inside the combustion chamber of an engine chemical energy in the fuel is converted into heat and kinetic energy. The heat is lost to the atmosphere and the kinetic energy propels the car. The fuel itself is converted into low energy waste products which eventually come out of the exhaust pipe. Some of these can be harmful to human health and the environment, especially if released in large quantities. There are two major concerns associated with car exhaust emissions : Air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, benzene and many others, and; Greenhouse gas emissions, predominantly carbon dioxide, but also nitrous oxide and methane (Commonwealth of Australia, 2010, www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au). ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FLEET ACTION PLAN 13
ACRONYMS ST: short term action to be completed in 3 years MT: medium term action to be completed in 3-6 years LT: long term action to be completed in 6-9 years B&S: Business and Services BS&P: Business, Services & Property ES: Environmental Services F&IS&S: Finance, Information Systems and Services HR&OD: Human Resources and Organisational Development M&C: Maintenance and Construction TS: Technical Services ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FLEET ACTION PLAN 14