The Big Apple is going green.
Mayor de Blasio announced plans Tuesday that would cut municipal vehicle emissions in half by 2025 and create the largest electric vehicle fleet in the U.S.
The NYC Clean Fleet plan would replace 2,000 gas-guzzling sedans with plug-in electric cars over the next decade and make use of other fuel alternatives and technologies for heavy-duty trucks.
“A cleaner, greener fleet is yet another step toward our ambitious but necessary sustainability goals,” de Blasio said in a statement. “By building the largest municipal electric vehicle fleet in the country — and potentially the world – New York City is continuing to lead by example.”
NYC Clean Fleet is the latest in a series of climate initiatives outlined in the Mayor’s OneNYC plan, with a long-term goal of reducing all greenhouse gas emissions across the city 80% by 2050.
In addition to the 2,000 gas-free cars, the plan calls for limiting the usage of SUVs and the expanded use of anti-idling, hybrid, and stop-start technologies in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, such as sanitation trucks, to reduce emissions and gas use.
The city currently has 300 electric vehicles on the road and the cost of converting the fleet will be offset by fuel savings and reduced maintenance, officials said.
The eco-friendly announcement comes as world leaders gather in Paris this week to discuss limiting carbon emissions on a global scale.
“Moving toward electric vehicles is an essential part of the nation and the world’s agenda to fight climate change,” said Professor Michael B. Gerrard, Director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. “New York City’s action today is of great significance, both substantively and symbolically.”
