What is next for fleet greening beyond the current 2024 Green Fleet strategy?
Project Description:
The City of Hamilton’s Public Works Energy Fleet and Facilities division has developed a thorough Action Plan and taken steps towards greening and updating the fleet of city vehicles to decrease the City’s climate impact. This focus has included upgrading vehicles, retrofitting with aftermarket modifications, implementing the use of bio diesel and more. Much of this focus has been on improving the light vehicle weight class. Public Works is seeking a student team to conduct research on the next wave of fleet greening innovation, by looking at leading countries and regions (ex: Europe) in these practices and understanding the future of fleet innovation.
Students will seek to answer the following questions:
What is next beyond light duty vehicle upgrades, beyond the current strategy?
What is on the global forefront for electrification and greening of medium and heavy duty vehicles?
Other areas of consideration are examining the use of hydrogen, which is not readily or widely available for use in Canada. What could be the steps necessary for expanding the use of this in the Canadian market.
From these findings the student team will recommend program and policy development to enhance the implementation of the Green Fleet Strategy, with consideration to climate change, economics, and stakeholder consultations.
Objective: To identify, research, and evaluate upcoming technologies and innovations in fleet greening from leading regions around the world, with specific consideration to feasibility in Hamilton regarding fueling infrastructure, weather, access, with policy options for advancing the greening of the fleet.
Deliverables: Recommendations report based on literature review, Policy paper (Technology development around the globe, comparative policy analysis from other jurisdictions)
Background Research: Technology development around the globe, comparative policy analysis from other jurisdictions
Where the work will go and what it will be used for: From these findings the student team will recommend program and policy development to enhance the implementation of the Green Fleet Strategy, with consideration to climate change, economics, and stakeholder consultations.
City staff: Lesley Parker, Superintendent Fleet Capital Planning & Contract Management, Public Works
Faculty & Course: William Docherty, Environmental Capstone Project, Mohawk College
Students: Sandi Ouk, Hetalben Chavadia, Vhien Forbes
