Emissions
Mobile sources are responsible for approximately 70 percent of the emissions in the ten-county Dallas-Fort Worth ozone non-attainment area, thus making this category the largest source of ozone-forming emissions. They are also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to alternative forms of transit and commuting, like biking to work or telecommuting, electric vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles reduce reliance on gasoline and diesel. This results in emissions reductions and air quality improvements, which will help us as we try to address our region’s ozone problem. These vehicles help preserve our natural resources, improve health, and reduce our country’s dependency on foreign oil. They also insulate the City budget against price fluctuations in the oil market.
The City of Dallas purchased its first alternative fueled vehicle in 1992. Today, about 40% of the City fleet is comprised of electric vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles (compressed natural gas, biodiesel, ethanol, propane).
The Motor Pool
Motor Pool electric vehicle
In an effort to enhance customer service and continue to advance the City’s commitment to environmental stewardship, Equipment and Building Services (EBS) implemented the Motor Pool Program in May of 2013. The Motor Pool is a group of shared vehicles that can be reserved and checked out by City employees, as needed for City business, rather than utilizing their own personal vehicles or Department administrative vehicles.
Not only does the Motor Pool improve EBS’s service to its customers, but it also reduces vehicle emissions in two ways:
- by allowing employees to share City vehicles, rather than taking separate personal or Departmental vehicles, when traveling to the same location and;
- through the inclusion and use of alternative fuel vehicles in the Motor Pool which emit fewer pollutants than do traditionally fueled vehicles.
