Law Will Significantly Advance City's Sustainability Goals to Combat Climate Crisis

BALTIMORE, MD (December 4, 2023) — Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott signed City Council Bill 21-0159 into law, which will help facilitate a transition to zero emissions vehicles for the City’s administrative fleet. Under the law, by 2030, all procurements for the City’s administrative fleet – comprised of light-duty, standard-occupancy vehicles, including sedans, small pickups, and SUVs – will be required to be zero emission vehicles, mostly likely all electric.

As the City prepares to release the Climate Action Plan Update, and following the 2022 announcement by Mayor Scott for 100% carbon neutrality by 2045, this is an important action by City government and the Department of General Services to lead the way towards achieving the City’s climate goals. The most recent city-wide greenhouse gas analysis shows transportation emissions are 23% of the City-wide greenhouse gas footprint. These light-duty electric vehicles are already readily available today, and reports by peer municipalities indicate there are significant long-term cost savings in having an all-electric administrative fleet due to lower fuel and operations costs.

“My administration knows the critical importance of ensuring our city is able to confront the climate crisis head-on and do everything in our power to ensure Baltimore is leading the way in sustainability and climate resilience,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Doing so requires us to look at the steps city government can take to change the way it operates, and work to modernize our systems to be more climate conscious. I appreciate the efforts of Councilman Conway for his advocacy on this issue and his work with my Bureau of Budget and Management Resources and Department of General Services to achieve our climate goals and make Baltimore a more sustainable city.

“Baltimore government has the chance to lead in transitioning away from fossil fuels and leaving a livable planet for our children and grandchildren,” said Councilman Mark Conway (District 4). “Passing this bill, and now having it signed into law, means a more modern, environmentally friendly fleet for city workers and a lower carbon footprint for city government.”

Since the 2010s, Baltimore City has a history of piloting EVs throughout fleet operations, including as part of the Maryland Energy Administration’s Smart Energy Communities Program. Recently, a Ford Mach-E was delivered for the City Comptroller’s Office, an all-electric van and Grow Center were delivered to DPW delivered this past summer, and 19 more EV purchases are coming this year to the Department of General Services Fleet Division.

“We’re excited to be leaders for the City and region in fleet decarbonization. The technology is there, vehicles are there, and this solidifies our intent for this transition,” said Berke Attila, Director of the Department of General Services. “Through the partnership of our Fleet and Energy Divisions, DGS is dedicated to building an efficient and cost-effective electric vehicle infrastructure. The vehicles will provide cleaner air for our citizens and better service delivery.”

The law does create an exemption process if the technology doesn’t exist or vehicles are cost prohibitive, and also requires the Department of General Services to report annually on both the transition and the possibility for the Heavy-Duty fleet to move to zero emissions.

For more information on Baltimore City’s Department of General Services Fleet Division and Energy Division, please visit: https://generalservices.baltimorecity.gov/energy and https://generalservices.baltimorecity.gov/node/4866