On Tuesday, January 23rd, and in conjunction with the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s (PPA) Board approved the purchase of four electric vehicles to be used by its Off-Street and Airport Operations Divisions through $20,000 in grant funds.
Acknowledging the purchase, PPA Executive Director, Scott Petri said, “Not only are we excited to purchase electric vehicles for our fleet, it reinforces our continued efforts to explore and implement cost saving, eco-friendly initiatives to our infrastructure.”
Over $86,000 of grant funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection were allocated to install a combined total of eight electric vehicle charging stations at PPA Center City garages and Philadelphia International Airport parking facilities.
“By purchasing new charge stations and electric vehicles, we will reduce our overall fuel costs and substantially reduce the amount of pollutants emitted by our fleet of vehicles,” said Petri.
Over a five-year span, the PPA expects the electric vehicles and charging stations to reduce fuel costs by $30,000 while reducing emissions by over 700,000 pounds. “As a public serving body, we not only have an obligation help protect our environment, but to also encourage others to follow suit,” said Petri.
In a May 2017, The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection awarded grants to 17 alternative fuel projects throughout the Commonwealth. These Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants will save an estimated 650 million gallons of fuel in Pennsylvania while developing and promoting the use of alternative fuels throughout the Commonwealth.