City’s new electric vehicle unveiled

The City of Prince George’s new electric car was unveiled Saturday at the Electric Car Showcase at the Prince George Farmers Market.

The Chevy Bolt joined the City’s vehicle inventory in June and is part of council’s strategies relating to improving air quality and the environment, city hall said in a press release.

Prince George is the first local government in B.C. to have a Bolt in its fleet. It is being used as an educational showpiece at events like the Clean Air Forum and for day-to-day in-town driving. Another electric vehicle, a Nissan Leaf, is currently shared between the City, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, Northern Health and UNBC.

The Bolt is expected to save the city about 5,000 litres of gas and 11.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents in its anticipated seven-year lifespan.

According to a recent Fraser Basin Council report, electric vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants. Compared to conventional vehicles, electric cars create negligible tailpipe emissions.

The new addition represents a step forward in Prince George’s commitment to the West Coast Electric Fleets Pledge to advance and expand zero-emission vehicle use. The city joined the initiative in December 2016.