Los Angeles, California: Council Order to Improve Fleet Efficiency Through Implementation of a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP)

Rather than pass an ordinance or enact a resolution focused solely on fleets Los Angeles has taken a more comprehensive approach. Los Angeles completed its local action plan (in this case called a “CAP”, or Climate Action Plan) with specific recommendations for new City policies. One of these new policies was to put in place a system for improving the fuel efficiency of the City’s fleet. The proposed system follows the Green Fleets model, i.e., efficiency targets are set, procurement practices are altered to meet these targets, and progress is monitored through the City’s comprehensive climate policy framework. Details on the policy follows in two sections. The first provides the Council legislation that specifically directs City departments to follow Los Angeles’ Green Fleets policy. The second is an excerpt from the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) detailing the full extent of their efficiency policy.

 

Document 1: Council Order to City Departments

3-2-01 – EQ&WM Comt rept ADOPTED *AS AMENDED to:

1. ADOPT the attached CAP, contained on the Council file, specifically
including the following three new measures:

[measures a) and b) omitted for clarity, not relevant to fleet activities]

c) Direct the GSD to maximize the fuel efficiency of the City’s fleet by
including language in bid specifications for fleet vehicles that would
provide a purchase preference for fuel efficient vehicles.

2. REQUEST that the City’s proprietary departments adopt and implement
programs and policies consistent with this CAP, including measures 1a, 1b,
and 1c above.

3. DIRECT the EAD and the Department of Water and Power (DWP), with the
assistance of the GSD, and other City departments, to jointly collect data
on an annual basis to track the City’s progress in achieving the goals of
the Climate Action Plan and to report to the City Council and Mayor on
resources needed to revise the plan at least every three years, including
making recommendations to the Council and Mayor for changes and additions as
necessary to ensure achievement of the plan’s CO2 emission reduction target.

4. DIRECT the EAD to serve as the City’s lead in participating in and
reporting carbon dioxide emissions from City operations to the California
Climate Action Registry …….. [further text omitted for clarity, and is not relevant to fleet actions]

 

Document 2: Relevant Portions of LA’s Climate Action Plan (CAP)

 

Increased Fuel Efficiency in City Fleet

Fleet managers historically have worked to improve the average fuel efficiency of the City
fleet to reduce operating expenses, limit expansion of existing fueling infrastructure, enhance
productivity, and curtail contributions to regional air pollution from City operations.

In the Energy C.A.P., the 2010 forecast assumes a 25-percent improvement in new vehicle fuel
efficiency compared to today for gasoline and diesel light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty
vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight Registered (GVWR) of less than 20,000 lbs., and a 15-
percent improvement in heavy-duty vehicles with GVWR of more than 20,000 lbs. Projected
improvements in AFV fuel efficiency range from 5-15 percent based on vehicle class. The total
estimated 2010 reduction in CO2 emissions resulting from the City fleet’s improved average fuel
efficiency is 19,208 tons of CO2 per year (see Appendix I for 2010 fuel efficiency targets by
vehicle class and detailed calculations on associated emission reductions)
. A portion of this
improvement (7,683 tons) is assumed to result from higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy
(CAFE) standards for manufacturers.

To achieve the incremental reduction benefit of 11,525 tons of CO2 (or 60 percent of the total),
the City Council directed those City departments responsible for procuring City fleet vehicles to
incorporate fuel efficiency as a selection criterion in bid specifications. Using the 2010 targets,
the fuel efficiency number should be stepped-up each year and bid specifications updated
accordingly.

Statement of Cost/Benefit: Procuring vehicles with increased fuel efficiency generally costs no
more than obtaining standard fuel economy vehicles, and in many cases may cost less because of
the smaller size of more fuel-efficient vehicles. Over the operational life of the vehicles, the
cumulative savings from reduced fuel consumption will result in a savings to the City.