Differnet points around the world using EcoTeq machinery

Green energy fueling action around the world

Across Australia, we’re seeing government and business responding to climate change. The Australian Government has stepped up its action to tackle the climate crisis as part of our country’s obligations under the Paris Agreement. It has committed to a new national emission reduction target of 43% below 2005 levels by 2030, which is an increase of 15 percentage points on previous commitments.

Committing to new emissions targets

By lodging an updated 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat, Australia has not only reinforced the urgency of climate action, it has reaffirmed its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. To further deepen this commitment, it has restored the Climate Change Authority as an independent source for policy advice. Many Australians have welcomed these changes.

Shifting to green energy

Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton, highlights the current electricity crisis to show how a lack of action on energy policy has affected the lives and livelihoods of Australians and businesses. “Our ageing coal-fired power fleet and transmission network is not fit for purpose and are now failing Australian businesses and households,” says Kane. “A 21st century economy needs a modern electricity network that supports reliability, security and lower emissions technologies, and delivers low-cost energy to consumers.”

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And it’s not just at the federal level where real action is being taken to tackle climate change. The West Australian Government has announced ambitious targets to cut its emissions by 80% below 2020 levels by 2030, which is a reduction of 5.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. It will invest $3.8 billion in green power infrastructure.

WA will close the last state-run coal power station in 2029, accounting for around 70% of their emissions reduction target. WA Premier, Mark McGowan, says keeping coal-fired power generation going into the 2030s will be too expensive to run and every family would need to pay an extra $1,200 for electricity each year.

The ACT Government has announced the end of new petrol and diesel vehicle sales by 2035. Ahead of this deadline, it’s aiming for 80 to 90% of new light vehicle sales to be electric or hydrogen-powered by 2030.

As part of the ACT Government’s zero-emission vehicle strategy, it’s also:

switching its fleet to electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles
increasing the number of public charging points to 180 by 2025
excluding petrol or diesel-powered new cars from taxi or rideshare services by 2030.

Playing a significant local role in getting to net zero

Local government in Australia can and does contribute significantly to overall government emissions reduction targets. Highly visible in their communities, the actions of a local government utilising green energy can also contribute to a positive reputation among its constituents.

Recent findings from energy efficiency consultancy, 100% Renewables, show that one in six Australian local councils have adopted a net zero target. Ten, including Maroondah City Council in Victoria and the City of Brisbane, are already carbon neutral.

Most of the local councils making ambitious emissions reduction commitments are in Victoria and New South Wales. The ACT Government has already reached its target of 100% renewable electricity in the ACT. It’s also committed to cutting emissions. But Victorian councils are leading the charge with almost half its councils committed to ambitious targets.

Global leaders transition to electric maintenance vehicles

Looking internationally, many countries are seeing their local governments invest in electric maintenance vehicles.

Papeete, in French Polynesia, uses 100% electric street sweepers in keeping with its environmental protection values.

In Belgium, the Kruibeke Municipality has converted its ageing street sweeping fleet to electric vehicles.

In the Cities of Naples and Noicattaro in Puglia, Italy, they’re also using 100% electric street sweepers. Leading Italian cleaning services provider, Serit, which operates throughout the province of Verona, has a 100% electric fleet.

In Birmingham in the UK, they’re using a range of electric street sweepers. Also in the UK, Westminster City Council is cleaning London’s West End with a 100% electric fleet of street cleaning vehicles.

Oslo in Norway has added 100% electric street sweepers to their fleet to meet their emissions reduction targets.

The City of Mountain Brook in Alabama, USA, has switched to 100% electric mowers, leaf blowers and other outdoor maintenance equipment and saw an immediate drop in noise complaints. And because of the quietness of the machines, their outdoor maintenance crew can also get started early before the heat of the day kicks in during summer.

Green technology that’s now available is dependable. It’s been tried, tested and proven to work efficiently, by leading councils around the world who have adopted this technology to achieve their net zero targets sooner.

Add proven electric maintenance vehicles to your fleet and reduce your emissions. Talk to us at EcoTeq, Australia’s first zero-emission, 100% electric maintenance equipment supplier. From mowers to street cleaners, we specialise in 100% battery-powered equipment including commercial mowers, street sweepers, pavement washers and litter collection vacuums. We will be with you every step of the way to help you reach your net-zero targets.

View our range of 100% electric maintenance vehicles or submit your enquiry above.