The ACT Government has been awarded the 2021 Fleet Environment Award at AfMA’s Annual Networking Dinner & Fleet Awards Ceremony.
The organisation achieved the honour at the Crown Palladium, Melbourne on May 20 as over 400 people gathered to network and recognise outstanding fleet achievements.
Minister for Emissions Reduction, Shane Rattenbury, said the award recognises the success of the ACT Government’s zero emissions fleet transition to date and the benefits that this leadership can have in reducing emissions and encouraging industry transformation and broader changes.
“Our fleet transition is reducing emissions and reducing air pollution so that Canberra tackles climate change and remains a great place to live,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“We now have over 140 zero emissions vehicles in our fleet. This includes 52 electric vehicles, 70 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and 20 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.”
Central to the ACT Government’s approach was the implementation of 20 zero-emission Hyundai NEXO hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles – representing the first deployment of fully certified Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) in Australia, as well as the first use of hydrogen vehicles by a Government in Australia.
“Battery and fuel cell electric vehicles each have their own advantages, and in the future our fleet is likely to be a mix of both. The hydrogen trial will help establish which work best in different scenarios,” Minister Rattenbury said.
“The ACT Government is also committed to a zero emissions public transport system by 2040 at the latest. The procurement process is underway for 90 electric buses, the first of which is expected to commence operation in the next financial year.”
“The ACT Government passenger vehicles that have already been changed over to zero emissions vehicles have reduced our annual fuel consumption by around 160,000 litres, reducing CO2 emissions by over 400 tonnes each year.
For the ACT Government, educating the community about the benefits of zero emissions vehicle while also providing incentives to encourage uptake will remain a focus both now and into the future.
“Our fleet transition will continue rapidly over the coming years, and we’re also assisting the community to transition to zero emission vehicles, with a range of financial incentives and charging infrastructure,” he said.
“I would like to congratulate and thank all of our partners and industry stakeholders that helped make this award possible.”
You can watch the ACT Government’s journey below:
