New York City is Shifting Toward a Cleaner Fleet

By Y.M. Lowy

New York City has cut fossil fuel use in its city vehicles by 67 percent over the past 13 years, saving nearly 20 million gallons a year. The changes came from the Sanitation Department, the Department of Transportation, and NYC Parks.

The city has achieved this by switching to cleaner fuels, adopting electric and hybrid vehicles, and implementing more efficient fleet management practices. Today, more than 75 percent of NYC Parks’ vehicles use electric or alternative fuel, and the Staten Island Ferry now runs entirely on renewable diesel.

In total, the city operates over 5,700 electric vehicles and 4,400 hybrids, supported by 2,300 charging stations. These changes make city operations cleaner, reducing pollution so the air we breathe is cleaner. DCAS Deputy Commissioner Keith Kerman says the city is aiming even higher, with the intention of cutting emissions by 80 percent by 2035.