Transportation is currently the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. Electric and hybrid vehicles are better for the environment, and also cost less over their lifetime than gas powered cars. Electric vehicles require almost no maintenance, and the cost of electricity is less than the cost of gas. You can compare the ownership costs of different vehicles here to see how much money you can save with a more efficient vehicle.

When the City purchases new vehicles, I have asked staff to calculate the total cost of ownership and savings for cleaner models. As a result, the City has added hybrid and electric cars to the fleet and put in place a Sustainable Vehicle Policy to guide future purchases. At the February 8 City Council meeting, we approved the purchase of 4 new hybrid vehicles for the Police Department fleet. Each of these vehicles will save the City over $4,000 in gas costs annually, making up for the additional upfront cost in under a year. Purchasing sustainable vehicles saves the City money while reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

I am proud of my role in greening the City Fleet, but there is more work to be done. In 2021, I am working to add Electric Vehicle (EV) readiness to our building code, following the lead of Chicago and other cities around the country. Wiring new buildings at the time of construction costs a fraction of retrofitting later, thereby saving money for residents.  As more auto manufacturers announce the shift to electric vehicles, we should make sure that new construction in Highland Park is ready for Electric Vehicle charging.