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Hybrid Vehicles continue to cut Council’s Carbon Footprint

Additional 2 new hybrid vehicles with continued efforts by Latrobe City Council to reduce carbon footprint.

By Portal Admin - 19th March 2020 - Back to News

Latrobe City Council is continuing its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint with the addition of two new hybrid vehicles to its car fleet.

Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Dan Clancey, said council was committed to demonstrating climate change leadership and reducing its carbon footprint.

"It’s important that we show leadership in responding to climate change. At this month’s Council meeting a motion was passed to review the adopted position on climate change that was established in 2010," Cr Clancey said.

"The purchase of these new hybrid vehicles, coupled with an overall reduction in the number of fleet vehicles, compliments a number of other initiatives underway across Latrobe City to reduce our carbon footprint."

The two new hybrid Toyota Corollas will save Council more than $1,000 each per year on fuel and each emit 1.53 tonnes of CO2 less than their petrol engine counterparts.

The hybrid Corolla has an average fuel economy of 4.2 litres per 100 kilometres. In comparison, a standard, small four-cylinder car could be expected to average between six and seven litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.

Hybrid vehicles combine the benefits of an electric motor with a petrol engine.

When travelling at low speeds, hybrid vehicles use only the electric motor resulting in zero CO2 emissions.

When accelerating, or travelling at higher speeds, the petrol engine is activated to provide the vehicle with the additional power needed.

During deceleration, the electric motor generates power, which is stored in a battery.

The addition of the hybrids to the vehicle fleet is just one of a suite of initiatives being undertaken by council to reduce its carbon footprint.

Other initiatives include:

• The installation of a geothermal heating system for the new Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centrewhich will reduce council’s carbon footprint by 730 tonnes of CO2.
• The installation of solar systems on council buildings.
• Capturing landfill gas at the Hyland Highway waste facility.
• Planting 20,000 trees in 2019.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com