Sustainable transportation supports the mobility needs of society in a safe, efficient and equitable manner- consistent with human and ecosystem health. About 50% of a typical two-car household’s carbon emissions are from transportation sources. Consumers should purchase a fuel-efficient, low-polluting car, keep their vehicle well maintained, and adopt good driving habits including observing the speed limit and consolidating trips. Use of mass transit, ride-sharing, biking, walking and telecommuting offer further opportunities to reduce transportation emissions.
Electric vehicles (EVs) represent a rapidly accelerating share of the automobile market. As EV technologies improve (already 4-5 times more efficient than that of a gasoline car), and with an expanding range of affordable models EVs are poised to become a mainstream family car. EVs will play an increasingly prominent role in reducing transportation emissions. . Both on the personal and municipal fronts, electrifying the town’s vehicles is an exciting and achievable prospect.
Achievements to Date
- First town-owned EV obtained in 2015
- Annual EV Showcase since 2015 (now the Green Wheels Expo); largest such event in the Northeast US
- Over 40 EV chargers in town
- About 400 EVs registered in town
- Propane equipment used for town landscaping
- “Introduction to EVs” course offered through Fairfield Continuing Ed and Fairfield Public Library
- Anti-idling signage at schools to reduce exposure to exhaust fumes
- Exhaust deflector shields on buses
- Procurement of electric school buses in progress
- Establishment of bike paths and shared lane markings
Challenges Ahead
- Providing charging infrastructure for residents who cannot charge at home
- Locating and capitalizing EV charging projects, as a Town project or in partnership with third parties
- The electric grid will need to significantly increase its generating capacity to accommodate growth of EV adoption.
- Making the case for electric school buses and municipal EV fleets
Benefits of sustainable transportation
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change
- Improving air quality and public health by reduction of toxic emissions from burning fossil fuels
- Improving energy stability and security
- Saving money on transportation costs
2030 Plan Goals*
- Five town-owned EVs, replacing older fleet vehicles
- Large banks of EV chargers to address need for renters (also encourage and/or require multi-family housing units to install EV chargers)
- 1200 EVs registered in Fairfield
- Establish car and bicycle sharing services in Fairfield
- Start replacing diesel school buses with electric buses (10 by 2025)
- Support state efforts for mass transit, transit-oriented development (TOD), and ridesharing
- Support Transportation & Climate Initiative for long term, regional effort
- Formally oppose state efforts to widen I-95 for capacity reasons
*Some goals are ambitious, and may need more time to achieve target participation rates; others can be achieved sooner, but work on all goals should begin as soon as possible
Long Term Goals:
- 100% of transportation from sustainable sources by 2050
- Reduce overall vehicular traffic via mass transit, biking, and walking
How Do We Reach Our Goals?
- Leverage federal and state incentives for sustainable transportation
- Add EV chargers to solar projects and building renovations
- Continue to advocate for electric school buses and town-owned EVs
- Continue EV outreach and education, especially via Green Wheels Expo
- Communicate with state and federal legislators about transportation issues