May 12, 2016
Cutting-edge measures include installing life-saving truck side guards and banning hands-free phone devices except for emergencies
New electric car initiative will help City's fleet achieve goal of reducing municipal fleet emissions 50 percent by 2025
NEW YORK––Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Lisette Camilo today announced new steps to further safety and sustainability for the City’s fleet, including life-saving truck side guards.
The measures were unveiled at today's City Fleet and Equipment Show in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. New York City operates the largest municipal fleet in the United States with over 28,000 units. NYC Fleet has played an important role in Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero and NYC Clean Fleet initiatives and has been nationally recognized for its fleet leadership.
“Once again New York City is leading by example, this time introducing cutting-edge measures to boost safety and sustainability for the largest fleet in the nation,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “These progressive requirements will ensure that drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike will be safer on our streets, all while decreasing the city’s carbon emissions footprint.”
Among today’s announcements:
In December 2015, DCAS issued an RFI to solicit ideas and proposals for advancing our NYC Clean Fleet initiative. The response from industry was extensive with over 77 formal responders and 30 other companies also engaging in less formal ways. Many of these vendors will be at the Fleet Show today, discussing the latest in alternative fuel technologies including electric vehicles, hybrid trucks, natural gas units, hydrogen and solar units, and renewable diesels. In total, over 16,000 fleet units operate on some type of alternative fuel.
“New York City operates one of the largest fleets in the United States and we are committed to working with our agency partners to establish the safest and greenest fleet in the nation. Today’s steps will further that effort,” said DCAS Commissioner Lisette Camilo.
“New York City operates almost every type of alternative in the transport sector including electric, hybrid, natural gas, biodiesel, shared units and even solar,” said City Chief Fleet Officer Keith Kerman. “We are early adopters helping to establish the effectiveness of these alternatives in every type of fleet service.”
The City has hosted a Fleet and Equipment Show for 28 years. The Show is a partnership between DCAS and Parks and offers over 160 vendors with the latest in safe and sustainable fleet and equipment technologies, as well as tools and workplace equipment. The show is free and runs from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Thursday, May 12 at the Unisphere at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The non-profit group Empire Clean Cities, which focuses on fleet sustainability, also hosts their annual stakeholder meeting at the show.
"Climate change will continue to require smart actions to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions," said Daniel Zarrilli, New York City's Senior Director of Climate Policy and Programs. "That's why today's announcement of a cleaner, safer fleet is so critical to our OneNYC efforts and puts us on the path to having the largest municipal EV fleet in the country."
Council Member Costa Constantinides, Chair of the Committee on Council Environmental Protection, said, "The new electric cars set to be used in our city's fleet will help make us the municipality with the largest electric vehicle fleet in the nation and will make our city more sustainable. Expanding our use of biodiesel in NYPD vehicles will also reduce pollution and improve our air quality. These sustainable habits will bring us closer toward our goal of reducing carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050 and continue to make our city a leader in green energy. I thank Mayor de Blasio and DCAS Commissioner Lisette Camilo for their bold vision."
“I am happy to see the Mayor taking leadership to make NYC’s vehicle fleet the most environmentally friendly and safe in the nation. I encourage community members to visit Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to learn about these new measures. As a City we must take the lead to ensure that we perform our functions as sustainably as possible,” said Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland.
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