Achieving 50% GHG Reduction by 2025 in NYC's Municipal Fleet: Insights from Keith Todd Kerman
As New York Energy Week 2024 kicks off, the focus is sharply on the future of sustainable transportation. The event, known for uniting visionaries and industry leaders to challenge conventional boundaries in energy and sustainability, welcomes Keith Todd Kerman, Deputy Commissioner and NYC Chief Fleet Officer of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). Kerman’s session, titled "Achieving 50% GHG Reduction by 2025 in the Nation’s Largest Municipal Fleet," provides a detailed and ambitious roadmap towards a greener future for New York City’s fleet operations.
Introduction to NYC’s Municipal Fleet
Kerman begins by outlining the scale and scope of NYC's fleet, which consists of nearly 30,000 vehicles, including police cars, sanitation trucks, and fire trucks. When adding contracted school buses and other public organizations like the New York Housing Authority, the fleet ranks among the largest in the U.S. "We are your police cars, your sanitation trucks, your fire trucks... just by the numbers, constitutionally, we're a town fleet, but we're a pretty big town fleet," Kerman explains.
The 50 by 25 Initiative
In 2015, as part of the Paris Climate Accords, New York City commits to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from its municipal fleet by 2025. Despite the challenges inherent in greening such a diverse and critical fleet, Kerman confidently states, "We announce in May that we are achieving 50 by 25." This commitment is realized through a three-part strategic plan:
1. Replacing Fossil Diesel with Biofuels: The fleet replaces traditional diesel with renewable diesel made from waste products like used cooking oil and waste animal fats. This switch provides a significant greenhouse gas benefit and improves air quality.
2. Implementing Hybrids and Efficiencies: Hybrid vehicles are integrated across the fleet, particularly in roles such as police cars, where full electrification is still being piloted. These hybrids are more fuel-efficient, saving up to 700 gallons of gas per year per vehicle.
3. Electrifying Vehicles: The fleet now boasts over 5,100 electric vehicles, with plans to increase this number to 5,500 by the end of the fiscal year. Additionally, NYC has established one of the largest charging networks in the state.
Renewable Diesel: A Game-Changer
Kerman delves into the specifics of renewable diesel, highlighting its advantages over biodiesel. Unlike biodiesel, which can only replace a portion of diesel fuel, renewable diesel can completely substitute fossil diesel without compromising performance. "Renewable diesel has no aromatics, no smell, and achieves a 60% or more greenhouse gas benefit through the production cycle," Kerman notes.
Efficiencies and Fleet Reduction
Under Mayor Eric Adams’ leadership, the city also focuses on reducing the overall size of the fleet. By utilizing advanced telematics and data analysis, NYC is able to identify and eliminate underutilized vehicles, achieving a reduction of over 2,600 vehicles since 2019. This not only cuts down on fuel consumption but also enhances operational efficiency. "The most sustainable and the safest vehicle is one you do not operate," Kerman emphasizes.
Electrification and Technological Integration
The session also showcases NYC’s pioneering efforts in integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into critical service roles. Notably, the NYPD has begun using electric Ford Mach-Es, marking the largest deployment of EVs as police cruisers in the nation. The transition to electric vehicles has not only environmental benefits but also significant maintenance cost savings. "We've had electric vehicles... over 10 years. They are over their normal lifespans and have shown a 60-70% maintenance improvement," Kerman highlights.
Challenges and Future Goals
While the city has made substantial progress, challenges remain, particularly in electrifying heavy and specialized vehicles like snowplows and fire trucks. However, Kerman remains optimistic, pointing to ongoing advancements in technology and the continued push for market innovations. "Our long-term goal is zero emissions," he affirms.
Community Engagement and Public Charging
Kerman also speaks about the importance of community engagement and the expansion of public charging infrastructure. Sites like the World's Fair Marina now offer public fast charging, supporting the broader adoption of electric vehicles across the city. "We charge reimbursement rates, not to make money, but to cover costs. It's 30 cents per kilowatt hour peak, 25 cents off-peak," Kerman explains.
Leading the Charge: NYC's Path to Fleet Sustainability and Global Inspiration
Keith Todd Kerman’s presentation at New York Energy Week 2024 is a testament to the ambitious and forward-thinking approach NYC is taking towards fleet sustainability. By integrating renewable diesel, hybrid technologies, and a growing number of electric vehicles, the city is not only on track to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals but is setting a benchmark for other municipalities. As Kerman concludes, "If we can do it here, you can do it anywhere." This message resonates as a call to action for cities worldwide to embrace sustainable practices and work towards a greener future.
In the spirit of New York Energy Week, Kerman’s insights provide both inspiration and a practical blueprint for achieving significant environmental milestones in urban fleet management. The city’s journey towards a 50% GHG reduction by 2025 stands as a powerful example of how large-scale sustainability initiatives can be successfully implemented, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable urban environment.
