Red Deer County tapped provincial and federal grant programs to buy an electric vehicle and two charging stations.
Last year, the county was due to replace a vehicle and staff began researching electric vehicle and grant options.
Applications were made to the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre, which was started in 2009 as a joint initiative of Rural Municipalities of Alberta, Alberta Municipalities and the province.
Two $14,000 grants were approved, which went towards a 2022 Kia Niro electric vehicle and to the purchase and installation of a pair of charging stations.
Another $5,000 was lined up through a federal grant program designed to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles.
With the vehicle purchase, the county was able to take one of its gas-powered vehicles out of the fleet, reducing emissions by 57 per cent when emissions from creating the energy are factored in. Carbon emissions will be reduced by about two tonnes per year and $3,500 saved annually in fuel and maintenance costs.
“The county is pleased to receive funding for both of these projects and looks towards new opportunities to increase efficiencies in reaching our environmental goals,” said county Mayor Jim Wood.