The transition to zero-emissions vehicles is a critical objective for Ireland, but recent analysis demonstrates that our local authorities are far from arriving at this green milestone. The authorities’ effort in acquiring electric vehicles (EVs) falls short, judging by fresh data from Geotab, a telematics firm. The data highlights that just 5% of vehicle fleets across 23 local authorities have made the switch to electric power.
Among those authorities making commendable strides, Cork City Council tops the charts with a 28% conversion rate to electric power, representing 77 out of 280 vehicles in the fleet. In comparison, Fingal County Council boasts the highest tally of electric vehicles – 87 – but in relation to its larger 357-vehicle fleet, it represents a smaller rate of 24%.
Also demonstrating admirable progress are Galway City Council (24% EV), Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (10% EV), and Dublin City Council (8% EV). The troubling fact is that the latter’s performance, despite being at 8% EV, reflects positively on the lacklustre efforts of others.
More concerning is the majority of local authorities lagging behind, with EV conversion rates of 5% or below in their fleets. Sligo County Council, Longford County Council, and Limerick City and County Council, distressingly, have no electric vehicles whatsoever.
Phil Barnes, Geotab’s business development manager, describes the discrepancy in the switch to electric as ‘glacial.’ While commending some areas like Cork, Galway, and Fingal for leading, he laments the absence of a unified strategy. He mentions that different local authorities are operating independently under their managerial teams and budgetary constraints.
It’s evident that the government, both at the national and local level, has a significant role to enact change, not only in boosting electric vehicle purchases, but also in proactively paving the way towards electric power. This transformation is yet to be seen occurring at a grassroots level, however.
Barnes highlighted that the problem exists beyond just local authorities. He mentioned his recent experience at Dublin Airport, emphasising they still relied on petrol-powered new Audis and BMWs, for shuttling between Leinster House and Phoenix Park. This lack of vision disturbs him.
Although the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate – legally requires relevant organisations to obtain only zero-emission vehicles where feasible, this regulation does not include local councils. As a result, this law is inefficient in this context.
The study conducted by Geotab shows that switching six out of every 10 internal combustion vehicles to an electric vehicle (EV) alternative is considered feasible. Such a switch could offer fleet managers an average cost reduction of €9,508 per vehicle over a period of seven years.
Barnes also revealed that many of the councils studied by Geotab have a significant number of vehicles on a long-term lease. In some instances, these rentals for up to four years – are more expensive than actually buying the vehicles outright. However, due to certain budgeting guidelines, some areas restrict direct purchasing but permit rentals. When it comes to EVs, this situation creates a major obstacle. It becomes convenient to opt for whatever affordable vehicles rental firms provide, which are almost always fuelled by diesel.
The research by Geotab further illustrated that immediately switching six out of every 10 internal combustion vehicles to an EV alternative could be possible. Fleet managers might even find an average cost reduction of €9,508 for every vehicle across seven years. Given almost 13,000 vehicles are used by the Government and local council services, such a change could mean substantial savings for public funds.
Reimagining our method of resource utilisation is paramount when it comes to the world of electric cars, states Barnes. He further emphasises the importance of reassessing priorities with a focus on future procurement strategies slated for the coming four years instead of current actions. Reflecting on this century from a future standpoint, our epoch may be seen as the gilded age of the industrial revolution. The key lies in gauging the performance of existing vehicles, understanding the data to identify the ones that can be swiftly transitioned to electric power, and then materialising that plan. The more challenging revamps can be tackled at a later stage.
Vehicle telematics organisation, Geotab, is adept at generating and interpreting data of this kind. It has already been successful in minimising vehicle idling time (incidents when vehicles like heavy trucks or vans remain stationary unnecessarily with the engine on) for entities like AA Ireland and Rosslare Europort, and has kicked off the process of data analysis to determine where electric power can step in.
Nonetheless, the crux of the entire process is to ensure the correct personnel are manning local councils, says Barnes. The query here is whether they have the bandwidth and capability to explore alternatives or usher in changes in thought processes. According to him, Cork and Fingal have excelled in this area, having dedicated teams exclusively handling electric vehicle planning. This has led to a significant shift in perspective.
The truth of the matter is that councils will eventually have to succumb to this inevitable change. Upcoming widespread European laws will oblige automobile manufacturers to curtail the production of internal combustion engine cars, meanwhile escalating the yield of electric-powered cars. This movement is already underway, but what seems to elude local authorities is that the vehicles in their fleets – that are typically centralised and have short daily travel distances – are among the top contenders for the shift to electric vehicles. There is also an ethical obligation to be visibly doing the right thing amidst a climate emergency.
Responding to inquiries about sluggish implementation of electric vehicle integration, a representative of the Longford County Council explained that 33% of their recent vehicle acquisitions have been electric, thus dispelling the perception of their slow adoption pace. To add perspective, the spokesperson made a comparison to other councils, mentioning that their relatively small size adversely impacts their numbers. The council is in the process of evaluating opportunities to extend electrification across their fleet, with a focus on replacing vehicles under three tonnes with appropriate electric substitutes. They also express intent to experiment with alternative fuels like HVO to cut carbon emissions in heavier cars.
Conversely, Limerick City and County Council laid out a five-year plan, starting in 2024, to transition all of the council’s 64 panel vans to electric or zero-emission vehicles. This council has also begun utilising HVO fuel for street cleaning vehicles, intending to expand its application to commercial vehicles, both light and heavy-duty where practical.
Addressing the question of why local authority enforcement to shift to electric power is limited, a representative from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications elucidated that there may be several explanations for the slow vehicle fleet turnover. Factors such as existing active vehicle leases and electric vehicles’ unsuitability for certain heavy-duty applications were highlighted. Despite the challenges, the spokesperson indicated that green vehicle adoption should escalate as local authorities renew their fleets, in-line with national climate targets and eco-responsible public procurement policies.
Whilst purchasing decisions are under the jurisdiction of local authorities as autonomous bodies, the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate, which encompasses all public organisations included within decarbonisation aims, does not involve local authorities, educational institutions and the commercial semi-State sector since they each have their respective strategies. The semi-State sector operates under a climate action framework, schools are governed by a school sector climate action mandate and measures initiated by local authorities to attain countrywide objectives are depicted in their climate action schemes. Therefore, much progress has been made but there is still more to achieve, somewhat reminiscent of the traditional Fianna Fáil election mantra.