Page 8 - Nov-Dec2022 Vol 40 No 5

KNOXVILLE By Nicholas Bradshaw
Building a Green Fleet

The green fleet revolution is here. The easiest and best way to replace from a cash flow perspective and allows
As fleet managers across the world are vehicles with green alternatives is to do the department to have more financial
already aware, current trends in vehicle so gradually using the existing vehicle flexibility in the common event that
development and manufacturing make replacement framework. Knoxville is vehicles fail, are wrecked, or otherwise
widespread deployment of green fleet fortunate in that it has had an active and require replacement before they are
assets an inevitability. Still, there are a fully funded vehicle replacement program eligible.
myriad of challenges to “going green” for many years. The Fleet Services The primary challenge in relying on
in our municipal fleets. Furthermore, Department determines a lifecycle for replacement funds for green conversions
these challenges can vary greatly from every unit, and the City charges user is accounting for the premium up-
jurisdiction to jurisdiction. However, departments a prorated amount each front cost of acquiring a green vehicle.
they are not insurmountable! As it is month for the replacement of every Replacement budgets were designed for
when starting any major initiative, the vehicle assigned to the department. For traditional vehicle replacements and
best way to achieve the desired end is to example, a typical non-pursuit rated sedan green vehicles often cost more up-front
think strategically, work as a team, and procured in 2013 was given a seven-year than traditional vehicles. This challenge
develop an effective plan. (84-month) lifecycle and an anticipated can be overcome with a re-analysis of
The City of Knoxville’s green fleet story replacement value of $27,980.71. At the vehicle replacement values and life cycles
is likely not too dissimilar from the stories conclusion of this lifecycle, the City is able as well as a corresponding adjustment
of many other municipal fleets across the to procure a replacement vehicle utilizing to the rents charged to departments for
country. Knoxville’s fleet of approximately these collected funds. vehicles targeted for green replacements.
1,600 vehicles and equipment runs Vehicle replacement schedules are To balance operational needs and
predominantly on traditional internal widely varied and staggered so that financial realities with the goals of
combustion engines that rely on gasoline annual vehicle procurements remain the Green Fleet policy, it is necessary
or diesel fuel. The Mayor and City Council relatively consistent year-to-year. It is to be strategic with the selection of
set a goal of reducing greenhouse gases sound fiscal policy not to replace vehicles vehicles targeted for green replacements.
for municipal operations by 50% by 2030. earlier than the predetermined lifecycle Identifying low hanging fruit is the best
To achieve this goal, it became necessary when it can be avoided, and also to way to achieve maximum value. Large
to develop a long-term fleet replacement delay the replacement of vehicles when expensive units like fire trucks and heavy
plan that is ambitious while also being it is appropriate and practical from an equipment do not always have available
practical and achievable. operational standpoint. This is beneficial and/or affordable green alternatives on

8 TPW November/December 2022