GTA Fleets Going Green with Chevrolet Canada
Chevrolet joined the Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF) to announce its participation in FleetWise EV300, TAF’s initiative to encourage commercial vehicle fleets in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to work collaboratively to purchase, drive, charge, evaluate and promote at least 300 plug-in electric vehicles by 2012. Fleet managers from across the GTA were given the opportunity to test drive the Chevrolet Volt, an award-winning electric vehicle with extended range.
“Plug-in electric vehicles offer a tremendous opportunity for commercial vehicle fleet operators in the GTA to dramatically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions,” said Julia Langer, TAF’s Chief Executive Officer. “By taking a leadership position and committing to green their fleets, our EV300 partners are enabling Toronto to benefit from the superior environmental performance of plug-in vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt.”
“The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle without compromise,” said Kevin Williams, president of GM of Canada. “Through its extended range capabilities, the Chevrolet Volt is the only electric vehicle that provides the flexibility required for commercial fleets, where businesses can’t afford to be stranded with a depleted battery.”
The Chevrolet Volt is an electrically driven vehicle designed and engineered to operate in all climates, with a total range of up to 580 km. Powered by GM’s revolutionary Voltec propulsion system, it consists of a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and electric drive unit that provide pure electric range between 40 and 80 km, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature. A 1.4L gasoline-powered engine extends the range up to an additional 500 km on a full tank of fuel by operating the vehicle’s electric drive system until the car can be plugged in and recharged or refuelled.
Fleets that operate hundreds of vehicles for a wide range of tasks are seen as natural “first adopters” for electric vehicle technology, and today marked the first opportunity for fleet managers in Canada to test drive the Chevrolet Volt.
“Fleets have the sophistication and the motivation to take a strong interest in looking at where EVs could fit in their operations,” explains Ben Marans, TAF’s Manager of Social Innovation and Transportation, including the FleetWise EV300 program. “Our fleet partners are very interested in integrating electric vehicles to reduce emissions and vehicle operating costs, and many have been eagerly anticipating this opportunity to experience the Chevrolet Volt for themselves.”
The EV300 program is helping fleets with the assessment and integration of electric vehicles with tools such as FleetCarma, a software package that helps fleets assess the best fit for specific vehicles; the EValuation Calculator, which helps them determine the return on investment specifically for electric vehicles; and eDriver training, a program that recognizes that driving style can have a significant impact on EV performance. FleetWise EV300 is also an information sharing, assessment and vehicle acquisition network that means fleet managers don’t have to go it alone in securing electric vehicles.
“Events like this Volt Ride ‘n Drive help our partners get the information they need to make smart choices when it comes to adding electric vehicles,” says Marans. “We’re very excited to be able to offer our partners a first look at the Volt, one of the most talked about electric vehicles in North America.”
“We are planning on adding the Volt to our fleet and I look forward to encouraging other business leaders to green their fleets through initiatives like these,” added Mike Hewlett, Fleet Manager for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. “As responsible fleet managers, we are all working to reduce emissions and exposure to rising fuel costs.”
About TAF
The Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF) has been sparking action on climate, air pollution and energy use in Toronto for 20 years. Internationally recognized for its innovative and effective programs, TAF has helped the City save millions on energy costs and helped citizens to live greener lives in healthier communities. Starting with a small endowment from a sale of surplus City lands, TAF has directly invested more than $50 million in this city while keeping the original endowment intact. TAF works with a variety of partners, including corporations, federal and provincial governments and community organizations, to leverage its investments in climate change action and to improve our City. For more information, please visit www.toronto.ca/taf or www.FleetWise.ca.