The City of Lethbridge is continuing to make strides toward a more sustainable future with the addition of several new electric vehicles.(Photo: LNN)

By Joel Mendelson

City of Lethbridge adds more electric vehicles to their fleet

Oct 12, 2023 | 2:40 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge is continuing to make strides toward a more sustainable future with the addition of several new electric vehicles.

The Waste & Environment staff acquired a Polaris Ranger (low-speed, non-road vehicle) and a Chevrolet Bolt which will be used at the Waste & Recycling Centre.

The vehicles were purchased through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC), which is a partnership which includes Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta and the Government of Alberta, as well as the Canadian Government’s Incentives for Zero-Emissions vehicles (iZEV) program.

The MCCAC provides funding, technical assistance and education to municipalities, schools and community organizations to help them reduce energy costs, greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience.

The Polaris vehicle cost $45,000 with $12,400 in rebate from MCCAC. The Bolt cost $38,000 with $14,000 in rebate from MCCAC and $5,000 in rebate from iZEV.

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Mandi Parker, Waste & Environment General manager said, “We are excited to participate in the reduction of tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions and help improve air quality within the airshed.”

The City also purchased an EV Zamboni for $187,500 with $50,000 in rebate from MCCAC.

Rob Ulrich, General Manager of Fleet Services said, “Adding electric vehicles will reduce our consumption of fossil fuels, reduce or eliminate some of the maintenance requirements associated with internal combustion fueled vehicles and allow the city to continue to reduce environmental impacts associated with greenhouse gas emissions.”

MCCAC says that driving electric vehicles will:

• Reduce maintenance costs and downtime because the brakes last longer and oil changes are not needed
• Drive more efficiently because of regenerative braking. EVs generate energy when you slow down, compared to regular cars which waste energy when slowing down
• Create a healthier environment for everyone in the community because EVs do not produce tailpipe emissions into the air we breathe

The City of Lethbridge has already installed 22 new EV charging stations at four strategic sites across the city.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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