New hybrid vehicle addition to the City’s passenger fleet.

journey towards net zero carbon emissions for City of Greater Geraldton operations by 2030 has gone into high gear with a program to replace petrol powered fleet vehicles with hybrids now underway.

The first hybrid to join the City’s passenger fleet is a Toyota Corolla that recharges the battery while you drive so it doesn’t 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,” he 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 carbon 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, has been trialling the kerbside collection of Food Organic Garden Organic (FOGO) waste.

For more information on The Achieving Net Zero Corporate Climate Change Mitigation Plan visit the City’s website here