2025 Green Fleet Award Series-10.24.25 Special Award Winners Handout

10.24.25 Special Award Winners Handout

Pdf Summary

The City of Durham has established ambitious sustainability goals aimed at transitioning city operations to renewable energy and achieving carbon neutrality. Key targets include sourcing 80% renewable energy by 2030, attaining carbon neutrality by 2040, and achieving 100% renewable energy sourcing by 2050. To support these goals, Durham aims for a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in city operations by 2030, a 30% reduction in energy consumption, and increased electrification of the municipal fleet.<br /><br />Durham’s vehicle electrification efforts contribute significantly to GHG reduction, with transit buses representing 17% of reductions, light-duty vehicles 15%, medium/heavy-duty vehicles 6%, and paratransit vans another 6%. The city currently operates a mix of electric vehicles across these categories, including 14 electrified transit buses and 100 electrified light-duty vehicles.<br /><br />To facilitate employee use of electric vehicles, the "At Home Charging Program" provides take-home vehicle drivers with resources to recharge their vehicles overnight. Eligible employees (homeowners with suitable locations within Duke Energy’s service area) receive a monthly stipend covering charger rental and energy costs and a forgivable loan for charger installation. The program uses WiFi-enabled smart chargers, such as Tesla Universal Wall Connectors and Blink HQ200 models, leased over 36 months. Currently, five participants across Police, Fire, and Inspections departments are enrolled, with an average installation cost of $1,200 and $445/month in stipends paid.<br /><br />The presentation also referenced sustainability strategies and fleet electrification initiatives from other cities, highlighting the importance of starting small, building collaborative relationships, and establishing policies before technology solutions. Lessons underscore balancing sustainability with operational readiness, documenting processes for policy refinement, and integrating data tracking for emissions and costs.<br /><br />In summary, Durham’s comprehensive approach combines setting clear sustainability targets, electrifying vehicle fleets, supporting employee charging infrastructure, and embedding policy frameworks to advance its commitment to renewable energy and carbon neutrality goals through 2050.

Keywords

Durham sustainability goals

renewable energy transition

carbon neutrality 2040

greenhouse gas reduction

vehicle electrification

electric transit buses

At Home Charging Program

employee EV incentives

municipal fleet electrification

sustainability policy frameworks