A growing number of corporations are beginning to explore or expand electric options for their fleet. This electrification is critical for tackling climate change and reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

When we talk about electrifying the City, we often think big. Cars, trucks, busses, waste collection vehicles, EV charging networks and more! And while we must consider and plan for the transition of the entire fleet, we can also look at creative options to expand this electrification even further.

The next time you hit the ice at Springer Market Square or the Memorial Centre, or join the crowd at the Leon’s Centre to watch a game or have some fun, take a closer look at the ice resurfacing machine, commonly referred to as a Zamboni!

The City of Kingston is one of the leading municipalities in the adoption of zero-emission Zambonis in Ontario! Our long-term goal is to replace all of our 12 propane-or gas-powered machines by the end of 2026 and we’re well on our way!

In December 2022, we added three more electric Zambonis to our current fleet and have plans to replace two more by the end of this year. With these additions, we will have a total of seven zero-emission ice resurfacers in operation, representing approximately 60 per cent of our entire fleet.

Each battery-operated machine will eliminate approximately 17 to 19 tonnes of GHG emissions.

The addition of these electric Zambonis brings us closer to our goal of transitioning to a zero-emission fleet. Electrification was identified as a priority in the City’s Climate Leadership Plan under objective eight: Transition to electric- and renewably powered personal, municipal and commercial motorized vehicles.

If you ride public transit, you may have seen the results of our work in action! We currently operate two electric buses with plans to purchase five more later on in 2023, and with a green wrap, those buses are hard to miss. This complements our growing fleet of hybrid and electric light-duty vehicles and our expanding EV charging network.

But what about micro-mobility? Just like electric Zambonis, we can look for more opportunities to expand our electrification efforts, and one way we can do that is by exploring micro-mobility sharing solutions.

Encouraging micro-mobility was identified under objective seven in the Climate Leadership Plan as a long-term action to be implemented within the next 6 – 20 years.

Shared micro-mobility solutions include electric bicycles and scooters, both incredibly popular options in large cities like Ottawa and Montreal. They offer a flexible, convenient and affordable alternative for short-distance transportation and can connect our community to public transit hubs or active transportation networks.

The reality we’re facing with the climate crisis means that we must reduce our transportation-related GHG emissions. Electrification is one step we can take but it can’t stand on its own. Tackling our reliance on travelling alone in a car, increasing telework opportunities and creating safe, walkable cities are many of the ways we can begin reducing transportation-related emissions.

Together, increased adoption of active transportation, working from home and electric vehicles have the potential to contribute to a 30 per cent reduction in Kingston’s emissions by 2040.

Renewably powered vehicles are the future. The City is working hard on this transition, but we can’t do this alone! To meet our ambitious target, we need active participation from everyone in the community, including you!

Purchasing an electric vehicle may not be realistic or possible for everyone, and within these blogs, I like to leave you with some ideas on what you can do to advance climate action. So with that in mind, one of the simplest things you can do to make a change is to leave your car behind. Start by discovering other options, like cycling networks, walking paths or public transit routes near you. Check out what’s available and then give it a try! A small commitment to trying a different mode of transportation will reduce your carbon footprint, helping us bring down those transportation GHG emissions in our community.

If you’ve already embraced a carless lifestyle, share your knowledge and experience using active or public transportation with your friends and family to help them take that step. You could also consider sharing your experiences with the City during public engagements that focus on transportation in our community (and beyond). Subscribe to Get Involved Kingston, the City’s public engagement platform, to be notified about opportunities to join the conversation and share your input. You can also share your ideas at any time.

Please also consider supporting the Kingston Community Climate Action Fund (KCCAF). I have talked about this fund in an earlier blog because it’s one easy way you can take local, measurable, climate action in our community. This year, we’re supporting three wonderful organizations including Sustainable Kingston’s efforts to purchase their own electric vehicle. Learn more about KCCAF and the supported projects. Donations will be accepted until March 31, 2023.

Have an idea for a future blog? We want to hear from you. Reach out to ChangeForClimate@CityofKingston.ca to share your feedback and ideas.