A Ford Escape is part of the Town's efforts to save money while cutting down on emissions. Photo: addisongreen.info
As Director of the General Services Department for the Town of Addison, Mark Acevedo wears a pair of green hats.
One of those is pretty straightforward: Make those tax dollars go as far as possible while still providing high quality services to Addison residents.
The other: While being fiscally responsible, do whatever is feasible to be a good steward to the environment.
“We started going green before it became trendy and fashionable,” he says. “Now, it’s just part of the way we do things.”
One of the ongoing components of managing those two mandates is figuring out the best way to keep the Town’s fleet of cars and trucks running as cleanly and efficiently as possible. Over the years, that quest has taken on various forms.
About 20 years ago, natural gas seemed like a good option, but the required fueling station required about a $1 million investment.
“For us, it wasn’t cost effective,” Acevedo recalls.
Propane was next, and at one point, about 65 percent of Addison’s non-public safety fleet was propane-driven. In time, however, propane stopped burning as cleanly, essentially defeating the “green” benefits of the initiative.
A Chevy Silverado pickup displays the Town logo. Photo: addisongreen.info
Around the turn of the century, Low Emission Vehicles (LEVs) and Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) made the scene. Those were popular until about 2004, when hybrid electrics became a viable option.
Over the past six years, the Town has acquired 10 hybrids, starting with Ford Escapes and eventually adding two Chevy Silverado pickup trucks. (Currently, hybrid aren’t practical for larger trucks or for police work.) In addition to cutting down on emissions, the hybrids have produced impressive cost savings as well.
“We tracked everything we swapped out and ran cost comparisons over time,” Acevedo said. “We’re at a point where we’re saving about 49.7 percent.”
What’s next? Acevedo will be keeping up with developments with the new generation of electric cars hitting the market this year, although it may be a while before they identify themselves as practical options.
For now, hybrids are helping keep Addison up and running, making a progressive-thinking Town just a little more green.
Tags: Chevy Silverado, Ford Escape, hybrid vehicles, Mark Acevedo, Town of Addison
