City of Cornwall Adds First EV Trucks and More Hybrid Vehicles to Municipal Fleet

The City of Cornwall is continuing to update its municipal fleet with more fuel-efficient vehicles that are better for the environment and more cost-effective to operate over time. These changes are part of the City’s plan to reduce vehicle emissions and keep up with improvements in vehicle technology, while making sure staff have the right tools to do their work.

Seen in header photo: from left to right: Matthew Stephenson (Deputy CAO/Fire Chief), Michael Fawthrop (General Manager, Infrastructure & Municipal Works), Mayor Justin Towndale, and Tim Mills (CAO).

The latest additions to the fleet include:
• Two all-electric Ford F-150 trucks, which will be piloted in different departments this year to evaluate how EV trucks perform in day-to-day operations.
• One hybrid pickup truck, chosen for a role where a full EV isn’t suitable due to continuous driving.
• Six fully electric Chevrolet Equinox crossovers, replacing older vehicles that had reached the end of their service life.

“We’re looking at every opportunity to reduce emissions where it makes sense,” said Michael Fawthrop, General Manager of Infrastructure and Municipal Works. “These vehicles are a good fit for the work we do and align with our Climate Action Plan. They also help reduce long-term fuel and maintenance costs.”

These changes are part of a broader effort to transition the City’s light-duty fleet to more sustainable options over time. While the City has been purchasing electric cars for several years, this is the first time that electric trucks have been added to the fleet. The decision to start piloting EV trucks was made possible by the growing availability of electric pickup models and improved technology now on the market.

On average, transitioning to an EV fleet is expected to save between $3,000 and $8,000 per vehicle each year in fuel costs, depending on usage patterns. In addition, a typical electric vehicle reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 40-60% compared to traditional vehicles. These savings help offset any marginal increase in upfront costs for the new technology. The City will monitor the performance of the new EV trucks throughout the year, using insights from the pilot to guide future decisions about vehicle replacements and the effective deployment of EVs in City operations.

“We’re investing in a cleaner, more efficient fleet, not just because it’s the right thing to do environmentally, but because it’s also smart planning,” said Mayor Justin Towndale. “This is one of many practical steps we’re taking as a City to reduce emissions and make better use of taxpayer dollars over the long term.”

The City of Cornwall will continue replacing aging vehicles with electric or hybrid models where operationally feasible, and in alignment with its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 To learn more about Cornwall’s Climate Action Plan, visit www.cornwall.ca/climate