Oxford County Rolls Out Green Fleet Plan

Wednesday, 8 March 2017 11:15

Oxford County has unveiled 3 new compressed natural gas vehicles with more on the way including 2 snow plows.

Oxford County has introduced compressed Natural Gas vehicles into their fleet.

They currently employ 3 compressed natural gas vehicles and another 15 small passenger vehicles have been purchased for 2017. The County will also be the first municipality in Ontario to introduce compressed natural gas snow plows that will be delivered this year.

Each conversion does come with a significant cost to the County however Manager of Roads and Facilities Melissa Abercrombie says this will eventually save the County money.

"So the cost for each conversion is approximately $7,000 and it is a little cheaper than if you say bought a diesel vehicle of the same equivalent but we feel we will have a payback well within the lifetime of the vehicle and a lot of the tanks that we are using can be taken to the next vehicle."

Compressed Natural Gas is a lot cheaper than traditional fuel at the moment and the County will be able to use the brand new CNG fuelling station on Highway 59 just outside of Woodstock. That facility should be up and running by the end of the week or early next week. Business Development with Rural Green Energy Mark Schulman says talks about the benefits to switching to compressed natural gas.

"The biggest benefit is greenhouse gas emissions of about 30 percent, once Rural Green Energy has their anaerobic digester up and running that will change to about 70 to 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The conversions also fall in line with the Future Oxford Sustainability plan. CAO for the County Peter Crockett says they are really excited to move forward with their Green Fleet Plan.

"It's a step for us towards our commitment to 100 percent renewable energy, transportation is a major component of fossil fuel use in the country, in Ontario and of course the County of Oxford. As we begin our conversion to hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and compressed natural gas vehicles we are making our way towards that 100 percent renewable and or electrification of our fleet, reduces our carbon footprint and increases the ongoing commitment to achieving 100 percent renewable."