CITY ADDS HYBRID VEHICLES
Two Chevrolet Volts, at $23,000 each, are each expected to save $3,500 over five years
Mayor Steve Noble says the city has purchased two hybrid vehicles in an effort to save on fuel costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Noble, an avid environmentalist, said the Chevrolet Volts are to be used by the Kingston Police Department’s School Resource Officer at Kingston High School and by inspectors with the Kingston Fire Department’s Building Safety Division. The cars are expected to be delivered to the city in a couple of weeks, Noble said.
“Plug-in electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt allow these city vehicles the flexibility to operate over 60 miles on battery alone, emitting no emissions,” Noble said in an email. “After that, a regular hybrid gas engine kicks in, allowing the vehicle to get over 40 miles to the gallon.”
Noble, who owns a 2016 Chevrolet Volt, said the cars pur-
chased by the city had a manufacturer suggested retail price of about $33,000.
“However, we elected to purchase these vehicles through a (New York State) Aggregate Volt Purchase, which lowered the cost by $4,700,” he said. “The city is also qualified to receive a $5,000 grant per vehicle as part of a new initiative from Governor (Andrew) Cuomo.”
Noble said the actual purchase price comes to about $23,300 per vehicle, and he projected fuel savings of about $3,500 per car over a five-year period.
Noble said the purchase is in keeping with a pledge adopted by the city in October 2009 known as the Climate Smart and Green Jobs Community Pledge.
“(It is) a 10-point pledge, recognized on the state level, to move towards energy efficiency and sustainability, while making the city more livable, equitable and prosperous,” Noble said.
In 2012, the Common Council and then-Mayor Shayne Gallo adopted a Climate Action Plan and completed a municipal greenhouse gas emissions inventory, a look at energy use and how to reduce it.
Noble pointed out that
in 2014, the city became a so-called “Bronze Climate Smart Community,” the highest level in the state, “because of actions we have taken towards sustainability.”
“All of these efforts help the city towards our established goal of reducing every usage and greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020,” Noble added. “It gives me great pride to know that our city is taking tangible steps forward towards achieving the goals outlined in our Climate Action Plan.”
In his email, Noble said he personally takes environmental concerns seriously.
“Environmental conservation and sustainability are deeply important to me personally and to my family,” Noble said. “In addition to dedicating our lives to educating the community about environmental stewardship and sustainability, Julie (his wife) and I have committed to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, both by installing solar panels on our home and by driving electric and hybrid vehicles.”
Julie Noble, who is employed by the city as an environmental educator, drives a 2013 Ford Focus, a totally electric car, which she owns. In addition to her city job, she chairs the city’s Conservation Advisory Council.