City to launch green fleet pilot this summer
CALGARY, AB — The City of Calgary in partnership with its current fuel supplier, Shell Canada, will be piloting renewable diesel through The Green Fleet Strategy in support of The City’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the pathway to net zero by 2050.
“There are no one-size fits all solutions to effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions from The City’s corporate fleet*,” says Philippa Wagner, program manager with Fleet & Inventory at The City of Calgary. “Electrification of medium and heavy fleet vehicles presents operational challenges and with limited options available in the Canadian market, alternative fuels present us with the opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining an existing level of service to Calgarians.”
Hydrogenation Derived Renewable Diesel has the same chemical properties as fossil fuel-based diesel, but it’s colorless, odorless and made from organic sources like vegetable oil and animal fats. The advantage of renewable diesel is that it works with existing diesel vehicles and infrastructure allowing for immediate emissions reductions without operational disruptions or significant capital investment.
“Shell Canada is proud to support The City of Calgary and its efforts to reduce emissions through the supply of renewable diesel for their pilot project. Working with municipal partners, like The City of Calgary, is critical to Shell’s goal to deliver lower carbon energy and become a net zero emissions business by 2050,” says Susannah Pierce, president and country chair, Shell Canada.
From mid-July to mid-September 2023, renewable diesel will be used to fuel five commercial refuse trucks at The City of Calgary’s Shepard Operations Workplace Centre. Units involved in the pilot will be monitored for fuel economy, engine performance, maintenance observations as well as operator experience. While renewable diesel can have a significant impact on GHG emissions, benefits of emissions reduction will be weighed against fuel costs and feasibility for City use through the pilot. The cost of the pilot is $23,000.
The City is committed to evaluating and incorporating fully electric, electric hybrid and other low carbon vehicle technologies to reduce GHG emissions through the 2023-2026 Climate Implementation Plan. To find out more about what The City is doing with their vehicles and equipment in support of a climate-resilient Calgary visit Calgary.ca/greenfleet.
* Excludes Calgary Police Service and medium-and heavy-duty vehicles from Calgary Transit and the Calgary Fire Department.