UVic Green Fleet project
Date
2024
Authors
Mohanty, Akash
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Abstract
The University of Victoria’s fleet is at a pivotal point as management seeks to align with the university's broader climate and sustainability goals. As part of its commitment to the ambitious targets and goals outlined in the Climate and Sustainability Plan CSAP (2030), UVic is exploring the necessary steps to transition their fleet from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs). However, this transition requires accurate and consistent vehicle data collection procedures to adopt a ZEV-targeted approach that recognizes the challenges associated with electrifying special purpose vehicles with high operational demands and the supporting ZEV infrastructure.
In 2023, UVic launched the “Sustainability Scholars Program” offering paid internships for graduate students from any discipline, to collaborate with community, government, Indigenous, and not-for-profit partners on professional and applied research projects that advance sustainability. The program focuses on the global challenges of the climate crisis and is grounded in the idea that local action is required to meet those challenges for future generations.
The Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability applied as a program sponsor and hired a master’s student to initiate the Green Fleet Project, to help advance UVic’s climate strategy. The project sought to review the current conditions of UVic’s fleet composition and prepare key recommendations for fleet management to electrify their fleet over the short, medium, long-term.
Over a four-month period, this project successfully brought together key stakeholders from multiple departments to review the processes and procedures involved in managing the university’s vehicle fleet. The project included extensive field work to verify vehicles and meetings with department supervisors, as well as consultations with Risk Management and Campus Planning and Sustainability to align reporting metrics for insurance and sustainability requirements.
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Sustainability Scholars Program