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Cary's Green Fleet

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Cleaner Vehicles. Smarter Strategy.

Ford Lightning_EV_charging

 

PURPOSE-DRIVEN, LOW-EMISSION VEHICLES

A "green fleet" prioritizes clean fuels, efficiency, and emissions reduction without compromising service quality. Cary's Green Fleet strategy supports the Town’s climate action goals while enhancing operations across departments. 

 

PUTTING THE PLAN INTO PRACTICE

Initiated by the Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP) approved in 2012, with focus areas in:

  • Fuel Economy: Increase average MPG 

  • Vehicle Miles Traveled: Reduce total VMT Townwide 

  • Electrification: Transition to electric vehicles where feasible 

  • Emissions Reduction: Cut greenhouse gas emissions from fuel use

Supported by the Sustainability and Climate Action Strategy adopted in April 2024, with focus areas in: 

  • Transportation & Mobility

  • Energy 

  • Water Infrastructure 

  • Solid Waste 

  • Natural Resources 

  • Community 

 

MILESTONES IN FLEET MODERNIZATION

  • 2025: Pierce Volterra pumper is the first electric fire truck on the East Coast
    (stationed at Fire Station 9)

  • 2023: Integrated renewable propane retrofits*; Cary ranked No. 41 on NAFA Top 50 Green Fleet

  • 2021: Motorpool optimization which took underutilized vehicles, including police vehicles, and made them accessible to staff across the organization (reduced fleet by 27 vehicles)

  • 2021: Introduced Teslas to Cary's fleet

  • 2012: Introduced Nissan Leafs to Cary's fleet

  • 2011: Introduced Aquastar and reduced carbon emissions by taking meter readers off the road (in one year, 10 meter readers drove 71,000 miles and used 7,000 gallons of fuel)

    * Cary began converting police vehicles to run on both gasoline and cleaner-burning propane, helping reduce emissions and keep services reliable during storms or fuel shortages. With support from a $210,400 Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Voucher in 2023, Cary expanded these upgrades to more vehicles, building a more sustainable fleet without impacting day-to-day operations.

 

IDLE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY & EV INTEGRATION

Technologies like Idle Reduction Technology (IRT) help bridge the gap while Cary transitions to electric. Installed on new and retrofitted fire apparatus, IRT significantly reduces fuel use during low-demand operations, especially during EMS and standby calls. 

Learn more about IRT in Cary's Fire Fleet

Learn about the Cary Fire department's Apparatus Costs & Delivery

 

PREPARING FOR TOMORROW'S FLEET TODAY

"We won't compromise service in operations, but we do look for opportunities to advance sustainable fleet technology."

Cary is exploring alternative fuel implementation opportunities across all fleet types, including administrative and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as equipment. We’re also aligning vehicle replacement schedules, infrastructure planning, and grant opportunities to accelerate our green transition.