City of Hamilton: Silver-Rated Fleet (2007)

Photo: City of Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger (left) and Fleet Manager Chris Hill (centre) accept a Silver Rating award in 2007. Hamilton East MPP Andrea Horwath was on hand to offer congratulations.

In May 2007 the City of Hamilton’s Public Works Department earned the first-ever E3 Fleet Rating.

Between 2005 and 2006, City of Hamilton fleets increased fuel efficiency by 5% for every kilometre travelled, and decreased greenhouse emissions by 2% per kilometre. The City’s Silver Rating was based on these accomplishments and best management practices, including:

• a green fleet management plan
• an idling reduction program for employees
• introduction of hybrid cars within the light-duty fleet
• right-sizing of vehicles and elimination of vehicles that are used infrequently
• tracking of fuel consumption data for each vehicle, and using weekly and monthly exception reports to resolve problems quickly
• more frequent replacement of high-use vehicles — such as bylaw enforcement vehicles —  to reduce operating costs and emissions
• use of alternative fuels
• better route and trip planning to minimize the number and length of trips.

“The City of Hamilton can be proud of its fleets,” said Chair Charles Jago for the Fraser Basin Council in announcing the award. “They have been quick out of the gate to meet E3 Fleet criteria and capture a Silver Rating. It’s an impressive accomplishment, and we expect other public and private sector fleets to step up to the challenge.”

In 2009 the City of Hamilton also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Fleet Challenge Ontario. The City was praised for having adopted one of the first-ever green fleet plans, which served as a model for others, and for promoting new technologies – an example being “Green Fleet Expo,” launched in partnership with the City of Toronto.