This week, the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (USDOT Volpe) released the first Clean Fleet Transition Plan (CFTP).

The plan reviews electrification opportunities for each of NYC Fleet’s 191 types of on- and off-road equipment as well as operational and infrastructure requirements for electrification.

DCAS and Volpe have been working for over 18 months on the report, which was made in accordance with Executive Order 53, put in place for a "cleaner, electric, and safer fleet." 

Areas of Fleet to Electrify

As part of the review, Volpe interviewed 15 city agencies and found that 84% of on-road vehicles can be electrified based on vehicle options either available now in the marketplace or expected within the next five years. Currently, 41% of the fleet can be electrified, and another 43% within the next five years. 

For 16% of the city fleet, there are no current viable electric options in the marketplace that can fulfill the operational requirements for each agency, according to the report. Emergency service trucks, such as fire trucks and plow trucks, mostly fall into this category.

The goal date for electrifying these units is 2040. 

Off-Road and EV Charging

A recent press release showed that New York City operates over 5,000 off-road equipment pieces such as front-end loaders, forklifts, and tractors. Within five years, 81% of these units are expected to have electric options. Currently, 15% have electric options now and an additional 66% are expected to have electric options within five years. The remaining 19% would be expected to use renewable fuels such as renewable diesel for the near-term future until zero emission options come into development. 

The report also indicated there is a need for reliable electric vehicle (EV) charging, higher charging speeds for policing and emergency response, plus resiliency in EV infrastructurewhile, while showing a lack of plowing and off-road capacity for current EVs. The report also discussed the importance of EV education for drivers and mechanics, potential safety implications of new EV technology, and opportunities to downsize fleet vehicles in support of electrification. 

The report will be updated every two years.