The City of Greater Geraldton has begun replacing its petrol-powered fleet of vehicles with hybrids, as part of its transition to net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
The first hybrid to join the City’s passenger fleet is a Toyota Corolla that recharges its battery whilst being driven, so it does not need to be plugged in.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor, Shane Van Styn, said hybrid vehicles are the way forward for the City’s fleet.
“Hybrid vehicles are a great way for the City to transition away from petrol power passenger cars without having to wait for the infrastructure to charge battery-only electric vehicles to be built,” Mayor Van Styn said.
“On short trips around the City, the electric motor in the hybrid does all the work, which will dramatically reduce our CO2 emissions, with the added benefit of reducing the operating costs of the vehicle too.
“Given the distances staff need to travel within our City region, one of our biggest concerns with battery-only electric vehicles is that there wouldn’t be enough battery charge to make these round trips.
“However, the hybrid’s combination of petrol and battery operation strikes the balance we need.”
To ensure the City meets its target of net-zero emissions by 2030, all petrol-powered passenger vehicles will be replaced with hybrids when they are due for renewal.
For nearly a decade, the City has been reducing its carbon footprint by replacing street and sporting grounds’ lighting with LEDS, installing geothermal systems and solar panels at its facilities, and more recently trialling the kerbside collection of Food Organic Garden Organic (FOGO) waste.
Feature image: City of Greater Geraldton’s new hybrid vehicle addition to the City’s passenger fleet. Image: City of Greater Geraldton.