Sustainability in Village Fleet
A major goal of the Village of Arlington Heights is the reduction of vehicle emissions and improved air quality. The Fleet Services Unit fully supports this initiative and participates in several programs dedicated to achieving this goal. We currently hold memberships in the following:
- Chicago Area Clean Cities
- Illinois Green Fleet
- Illinois Soybean Association B20 Club (in partnership with the American Lung Association)
- USEPA Pollution Prevention Program
- Reduces fuel consumption
- Eliminates idle time at the job site
- Lessens noise pollution
- Decreases carbon footprint and tailpipe emissions
- Minimizes impact on payload
- Offers reliable performance with automatic stationary recharge
- Reduces maintenance costs
- Complies with anti-idle legislation
- Is approved by the EPA
The Village also owns an Advance CS7000 LPG-Hybrid sweeper-scrubber for cleaning the parking garages. For indoor and outdoor operational versatility with unlimited runtime and high efficiency, the CS7000 LPG-Hybrid can save thousands in fuel costs with an operational runtime of up to 5.5 hours per 32 lb. (14.5 kg) LPG tank, up to 45% lower CO2 emissions per square foot*, and much lower operation costs compared to a standard gasoline or diesel-powered machine.
In 2019 the Village of Arlington Heights was recognized as one of the Top 25 Green Fleets by Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine.
Fleet Sustainability Accomplishments
The Fleet Services Unit fully supports this initiative and participates in several programs dedicated to achieving this goal. We currently hold memberships in Chicago Area Clean Cities, Illinois Green Fleet, Illinois Soybean Association B20 Club (in partnership with American Lung Assn), and USEPA Pollution Prevention Program.
Biodiesel Fuel
In an effort to reduce harmful emissions, the Public Works Department has been using biodiesel fuel since 2007. Through the use of biodiesel fuel, the Village is making significant progress toward improving air quality by reducing soot, hydrocarbon, and carbon monoxide emission levels.
To read more about the Public Works Department's commitment to reducing harmful emissions, view the Village's profile on the Illinois Soybean Associate site, and read more about the Department's use of biodiesel featured in The Municipal.
Diesel Retrofit
In 2007, ten Public Works trucks were retrofitted with diesel particulate exhaust filters. The funding of $17,819 for this project was obtained from a grant from the Clean Air Counts campaign. Diesel exhaust is responsible for more than 20% of the nation’s smog causing nitrogen oxide emissions and 15% of particular matter (soot) emissions.
Hybrid Vehicles
Since 2007, the Village has acquired a total of nine hybrid vehicles. Three vehicles in Public Works, five inspector vehicles, and one vehicle in the Fire Department. It is estimated that the Village will reduce fuel consumption by as much as 3,000 gallons per year for an annual savings of $7,500.
Waste Oil Use
Public Works installed a supplementary waste oil burner in an auxiliary storage building at our Annex facility to assist in heating this building in the winter. All reclaimed waste oil from the Village vehicles is saved throughout the year, and transferred to the waste oil burner for the heating season. This unit burns the waste oil very efficiently with minimal emissions, while reducing the use of natural gas which is used as the primary heating fuel in the building. The amount of waste oil burned can be up to 100 gallons in an eight-hour period.
Police Department
The Village purchased four Police Interceptor Utility Hybrids. The hope is they will reduce fuel consumption and emissions without impacting operations. They are averaging close to 16 MPG while the non-hybrid squads are on average below 10 MPG, a more than a 60% increase in fuel economy.
Public Works Department
The Village also owns an Advance CS7000 LPG-Hybrid sweeper-scrubber for cleaning the parking garages. For indoor and outdoor operational versatility with unlimited runtime and high efficiency, the CS7000 LPG-Hybrid can save thousands in fuel costs with an operational runtime of up to 5.5 hours per 32 lb. (14.5 kg) LPG tank, up to 45% lower CO2 emissions per square foot*, and much lower operation costs compared to a standard gasoline or diesel-powered machine.
Building & Life Safety Introduces EVs to Fleet
The Village's Building & Life Safety Department introduced a Chevrolet Bolt Electric Utility Vehicle to its fleet in 2023. The Village’s utilization of the Chevrolet Bolt EV for inspections is part of the village’s quest of Achieving Sustainable Development. Each gas-powered vehicle that is replaced by an EUV will save approximately 4.6 tons of carbon exhaust from being emitted into the local atmosphere. Additionally, the EUV will have no fuel cost, no oil changes, and offers a longer brake life, resulting in an estimated 25% savings in operating costs yearly, or approximately $5-7,000 of savings over the 12-year expected lifecycle of the vehicle. The new EUV will be charged at Village Hall and will be able to travel 238 miles, once fully charged. On average, Village inspectors spend 6-7 hours per day performing in-field inspections, making sure that buildings and new construction are safe for the community. In 2022, the Village’s nine Building & Life Safety Inspectors performed 13,068 inspections, and traveled 40,124 miles, using 2,605 gallons of fuel.
The purchase of this vehicle was funded through the Village’s Vehicle Replacement Program. Additionally, the Federal Electric Vehicle Tax Credit provides local governments with direct payments for each EV, up to $7,500 for vehicles under 14,000 pounds, and up to $40,000 for all other vehicles.