Item 005 - ARR Truck Electrification Resolution — original pdf

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Zero Waste Advisory Commission Resolution on Austin Resource Recovery Refuse Truck Electrification WHEREAS the Austin Resource Recovery Comprehensive Plan includes a goal to “Develop necessary infrastructure to support electrifying the fleet. The department has interest in switching as many vehicles as possible in its fleet to run on electric power.”; and WHEREAS the Transportation Electrification section of the Austin Climate Equity Plan includes a strategy to “Electrify public sector fleet vehicles: Encourage vehicle fleets from public sector agencies in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA such as cities, counties, Capital Metro, and school districts to commit to buying 100% electric vehicles when they are available, cost- competitive, and meet operational needs.”; and WHEREAS vehicle that run on diesel, including refuse trucks, are a significant source of air pollution, including particulate matter (PM), accounting for as much as 100 times the pollution when traveling at speeds of 0-25 MPH as light-duty vehicles running on gasoline;1 and WHEREAS the particulate matter (PM) pollution in the Austin Metro Area exceeds the health- based standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency2; and WHEREAS electric heavy-duty trucks utilize cheaper fuel and maintenance costs, and can have a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) than their diesel counterparts over the lifetime of the vehicle;3 and WHEREAS electric heavy-duty trucks are preferred by drivers,4 for whom it is easier and more enjoyable to operate and could meaningfully contribute to employee retention; and WHEREAS integrating even a small number of electric refuse trucks now will give Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) valuable experience that can inform long-term planning for full electrification of the fleet; and 1 Pg 3. https://theicct.org/sites/default/files/publications/NOx_Emissions_In_Use_HDV_US_20191125.pdf 2 https://www.capcog.org/news/air-quality-program-prepared-for-new-standard/ 3 https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2022/02/FINAL-Roush-Fact-Sheet- 2.10.22.pdf 4 https://cleantechnica.com/2024/01/18/people -who-drive-trucks-for-a-living-really-like-driving-electric- trucks/  WHEREAS there are financial incentives available from state and federal grant programs that could cover anywhere from 40-100% of the upfront cost of purchasing electric heavy-duty trucks and corresponding charging infrastructure; and WHEREAS the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) offers free services to assist entities with fleet transition planning as well as grant applications for fleet electrification, including fellowship programs that can study and shape long-term fleet transition plans; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Zero Waste Advisory Commission recommends that Austin Resource Recovery work with the Environmental Defense Fund to: 1. Apply for funding from state and federal agencies to assist with the purchase of one or more electric refuse trucks and associated charging infrastructure as soon as possible this year; 2. Assist with the implementation and management of one or more electric refuse trucks in the immediate future; and 3. Develop a transition plan for the fleet with goals of every new vehicle purchased is electric no later than 2032, and every vehicle in operation is electric no later than 2040. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Zero Waste Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council and City Manager identify one or more funding mechanisms to fully electrify the ARR heavy duty fleet. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Zero Waste Advisory Commission establishes an ARR Fleet Electrification Working Group to assist with this work and make further recommendations on electrification policy, funding and implementation.