Events

Green Fleet Management Breakfast Forum Series

Go Green! Fleets everywhere today are seeking ways to green up their operations for reasons of corporate social responsibility and public image, cost control, and environmental purposes - the “triple bottom line.”

for downloads of presentations please visit our Library

Fleet Challenge Ontario, with the support of the Ontario Government, presents a series of four breakfast forums during 2009/10

Price for each forum: General Admission $75 + GST; Municipal Employees $60 + GST

"I was delighted to be able to contribute, and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the entire FCO team. I've had a lot of experience with a range of events over the years (as both a producer and a participant), and I commend you on how well that went off. From all appearances, your attendees liked the program you created, and your execution was terrific. Great logistics!...I welcome the opportunity to stay in touch, and look forward to reporting more on FCO activities and successes. "

- Mike Millikin, Green Car Congress - Presenter FCO Breakfast Forum Feb. 23, 2010

Topics and Speakers

Thursday, June 10, 2010
Green Fleet 401 “The Masters Series”
This forum will be held in conjunction with Green Fleet Expo 2010 and will introduce “the big picture in future automotive transportation”, with a discussion of emerging national and global directions in automotive fleets and fuel, as well as innovative products and developments. The location is Centennial College, Ashtonbee Campus, Toronto, from 7:30 a.m. until noon.
PAST - Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Green Fleet 301 “Special Topic: Hybrids & Electrification"
This breakfast forum will focus on what’s happening in electrification, hybrids, and other options worth consideration. Case studies of private and public sector fleet leaders adopting these technologies will be profiled. The location is Estates of Sunnybrook, Toronto, from 7:30 a.m. until noon.
PAST - Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Green Fleet 201 “Green Fleet Financial Planning"
This breakfast forum will focus on financial planning for your fleet asset base; making business sense of fleet greening; a review of case studies of private and public sector fleet leaders in asset management. The location is Estates of Sunnybrook, Toronto, from 7:30 a.m. until noon.
PAST - Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Green Fleet 101 “A Green Fleet Primer"
This breakfast forum will focus on introducing green fleet options for the public and private sector fleet operator, through exploring green fleet concepts, planning, and implementation in both technical and case study presentations and discussion. The location is Estates of Sunnybrook, Toronto, from 7:30 a.m. until noon.

Fleet Challenge will be offering similar forums in other parts of the province in 2010 and 2011.

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On June 19th, 2009, Fleet Challenge Ontario conducted a facilitated session with leaders from multiple facets of the fleet community including representatives from government, academia, media, non-profits, municipal fleets, private sector fleets, and technology providers. The objective of this assembly was to solicit feedback and subject matter recommendations for FCO green fleet workshops to be conducted over the next program year.

FCO opened the session with introductory comments and a presentation designed to familiarize attendees with the FCO program and catalyze discussion about potential overarching workshop themes. It was suggested that the majority of topics in green fleet management today fall into three areas: (1) Efficiency Gains; (2) Alternative Energies; and (3) Changing Operating Environments (the 3 E’s of green fleet management). This classification was put forward as a suggested conceptual framework for the ensuing discussion.

Participants were asked to identify their organizational goals and vision, and recommend green fleet themes and speakers for the workshops. Some participants felt strongly that the low-hanging fruit of improved fuel efficiency and other currently available options was still highly relevant in today’s fiscally-challenged operating environments. Others expressed interest in exploring the needs of emerging technologies like electrification. Still others felt that looking at the broader context of national and international policy directions was highly relevant, and so on.

This wide range of subjects presented by attendees seemed to reflect, not surprisingly, the state of evolution in the ‘green fleets’ curve and identified how each speaker was at a different place on that curve. Conceptually, this ‘experience continuum’ could represent an appropriate approach to workshop design, as it accepts and acknowledges that those involved in fleet management across Ontario are all at different levels.

In keeping with the recommended themes, topics and ideas expressed at the June 19th session, and the feedback from previous FCO events (2009 Green Fleet Expo), FCO proposes to convene a quarterly breakfast series. These sessions will showcase topical and highly relevant green fleet options. In the first program year, two of the breakfast sessions will focus on the first E of “Efficiency Gains”, and the remaining will focus on Alternative Energies (spec: electrification and hybrids) and Changing Operating Environments (spec: international and national policy directions). This approach is intended to offer entry points for all individuals interested in green fleet management in Ontario.

The agenda is currently under development. Presentation topics and potential speakers will be announced in Fall 2009 - please watch this space for updates!

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Green Fleet Expo - 2009

This year's Green Fleet Expo took place on May 21, 2009 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington with a record breaking 250+ attendees; the event was sold out well in advance. This annual event is a showcase for green fleet initiatives and is an information sharing opportunity for municipalities across Ontario. Interest extended beyond provincial borders with over 30 Canadian municipalities represented.

The morning of GFX iv began with breakfast hosted by Fleet Challenge Ontario followed by a GFX welcome from Chris Hill, City of Hamilton; Rick Craven, Burlington's Deputy Mayor; and Councillors Bob Bratina, City of Hamilton and Paula Fletcher, City of Toronto. Next a series of presentations were delivered by a broad range of subject matter experts and numerous exhibits were on display throughout the day.

GFX Morning Presentations:

The Electric Vehicle Future
Programming your ECM for fuel savings
What's new in Operations Maintenance
City of Hamilton's Green Fleet Plan II
Fleet Challenge Ontario Program Update and PEMS Idle Reduction project for Police and EMS

GFX Exhibitors:

Autovision Wireless
Bullfrog Power
Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance
City of Kitchener
Cool Moves
DVP Consulting
Fleet Challenge Ontario
Forsythe Lube
G-Oil
Global Emission Systems
Green Venture
Joe Johnson Equipment
Honda Canada
Municipal Equipment Operators Association
Simplicity Air
WE Enterprises
Webasto

In combination with the Expo, the inaugural Green Fleet Leadership Awards were presented by Roger Smith to recipients in recognition of lifetime achievement and leadership.

Lunch was enjoyed outdoors followed by Ride 'n Drive where a large exhibit of green vehicles and technologies were on display, including the PEMS test vehicles which drew much attention and discussion with our FCO technical experts.

GFX Ride and Drive green vehicles and equipment:

Azure Dynamics E450 cube van hybrid *NEW
Ford Fusion Hybrid *NEW
Ford Transit Utility vehicle *NEW
Ford Escape Hybrid
Malibu Hybrid *NEW
GM Sierra hybrid pickup truck *NEW
GM Silverado bi-fuel pickup *NEW
Honda Insight Hybrid *NEW
Honda Hybrid Snowblower *NEW
Honda Civic Natural Gas OEM *NEW
Honda Civic Hybrid
Ingersoll Rand's Solar-Electric Golf cart *NEW
Nissan Altima Hybrid *NEW
Peterbilt Hybrid-Electric bucket truck *NEW
Saturn Vue Hybrid
Toyota Prius *NEW
Toyota Camry Hybrid

This event has continued to grow in scope and popularity each year. Toronto will host the 2010 GFX and plans are to offer larger and international participation.

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Fleet Challenge Ontario 2009 Green Fleet Leadership Awards

The inaugural annual Green Fleet Leadership Awards were presented to winners for ‘Lifetime Achievement’ and ‘Leadership’. The awards are in recognition of exemplary personal commitment, actions and successes toward greening fleets.

Congratulations to the 2009 Green Fleet Leadership Award winners:

Lifetime Achievement Award Winners
Chris Hill, City of Hamilton
Gerry Pietschmann, City of Toronto
Drew Shintani, City of Toronto
Brenda Sakauye, City of Mississauga (Awarded Posthumously)

Leadership Award Winners - Public Sector
Michael Fagan, City of Burlington
Sean McDade, City of Ottawa, Police Services

Leadership Award Winners - Private Sector
Greg Black, Flex-Mor Industries Ltd.

Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

Chris Hill - City of Hamilton
As Fleet Manager for Hamilton's Public Works Dept., Chris Hill led his team in attaining Canada's first E3 Rating for green fleets. E3 (Energy, Environment, Excellence) is a certification program acknowledging the achievements of a particular fleet in attaining specific levels of excellence. Within three years, Hamilton's central fleet has cut greenhouse emissions by 546 metric tonnes - the equivalent of eliminating the use of 45 vehicles. Almost 25% of the city's fleet is comprised of green vehicles and city council is committed to increased support in this direction; it will also include training staff about green driving habits. For these and many more green initiatives, including instituting an ISO 14001-registered central garage, tribute is due to Chris and his team. The city of Hamilton is a founding partner of GFX, along with City of Toronto, and Fleet Challenge Ontario, and Chris continues to actively influence the growth and success of this annual event.

Gerry Pietschmann and Drew Shintani - City of Toronto
Gerry Pietschmann, Director of Fleet Services and Drew Shintani, Senior Policy Advisor/Manager are responsible, in large part, for Toronto's leadership in green fleets. In March 2008, Toronto City Council adopted the Green Fleet Plan 2008-2011 which builds on the green fleet activities from Phase 1 (2004-2007).

This next phase presents 38 actions that the City will undertake to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the City's central vehicle fleet by approximately 15,000 tonnes. The Plan also adds exciting new initiatives, such as a focus on green heavy trucks and the actions covers 5 key areas including: 1) Emissions reduction targets 2) Vehicles 3) Fuels 4) Sustainable choices, and 5) Maintenance and management practices.

Under the leadership of Gerry and Drew, the City of Toronto is at the forefront in adopting new, green technologies and approaches to managing its fleet of vehicles. The successful Green Fleet Expo (GFX) was conceived by Toronto staff and with the support of their partners at the City of Hamilton has grown exponentially each year and recently completed its 4th showcase.

Brenda Sakauye - City of Mississauga (Awarded Posthumously)
Brenda J. Sakauye was the Environmental Coordinator, and later the Manager of Environmental Management, at the City of Mississauga from 1992 until her passing in January 2009. Brenda was a key figure and driving force for the City Fleet Emissions Reduction Study and Green Fleet program.

Ms. Sakauye led the development of the City Clean Air Strategy, initiated a City Fleet Emissions Reduction Study, and subsequently formed a Green Fleet Technical Committee. The Implementation of recommendations from the Reduction Study is expected to reduce approximately 2153 tons of GHG emissions with anticipated savings of approximately $446,000 in fuel costs by 2011. These efforts symbolize Brenda's commitment and passion. Brenda's legacy is the many green initiatives that she initiated and helped to steer. Brenda will be remembered for her vision and passionate work toward implementing green fleet improvements for a better City of Mississauga.

Leadership Award Winners Public Sector

Michael Fagan - City of Burlington
In his role as Manager of Fleet, Mike Fagan helped develop a comprehensive green fleet strategy for the city - Greening the Corporate Fleet Transition Study - it includes idling reduction, training & awareness, vehicle reviews and fuel efficiency improvements, operation & maintenance improvements, and capturing data necessary to help lead the city to overall gains in fuel savings while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In the 3 years prior to 2008, the City of Burlington reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions from light duty vehicles by 35 tonnes with an 18 per cent reduction for new replacement vehicles. Mike's true passion to 'go green' and his exceptional leadership is demonstrated by the breadth of these initiatives and his ongoing commitment to further improvements.

Sean McDade - City of Ottawa, Police Services
Sgt. Sean McDade is tireless in his effort and commitment toward the reduction of idling and of green house gas emissions for the City of Ottawa. He has championed training and awareness initiatives, idling reduction projects, and the implementation of new fuel options to support a reduction in fuel costs and emissions. Several vehicles have been outfitted with devices to track 'actual idling' and 'actual use' of in-car heaters employed while the cars are turned off. This data capture provides critical information about a vehicle's usage and is essential to establish baselines and comparisons. Sean continues to seek green improvements; under consideration for even greater reductions in emissions and costs is the option of a duel fuel project (gas/propane).

Sgt. McDade and Ottawa Police Services are key participants in the Police and EMS Vehicle Idling Reduction Demonstration Project (PEMS), a two-year pilot initiative designed to achieve reduced idling time for police and EMS vehicles through the use of innovative vehicle and technology integrations, using existing, proven green technologies. In taking such a lead role, Sean is actively helping to find ways to improve air quality for the City of Ottawa and beyond.

Leadership Award Winner Private Sector

Greg Black - Flex-Mor Industries Ltd.
Headquartered in Bolton, Ontario, Flex-Mor Industries Ltd. has been operating for over 30 years in the long-haul trucking industry. Greg, as Vice-President & Shareholder, helped introduce various company green fleet initiatives such as extended oil change intervals and bunk heaters for each tractor, all of which are governed to 65 mph; the recycling of: old engines, gear oils, tractor batteries and metal; driver bonuses for speed, idle and mileage targets. Flex-Mor's real-time computer software is used to track trips and for route planning, and all trucks are equipped with on-board satellite computers. Greg is a demonstrated leader in his commitment to 'go green' - his company's green technologies and practices have been in operation for over the past 8 years. Greg's vision and commitment to stay and grow green continues.

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2010 Green Fleet Leadership Awards Nomination Form

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 Green Fleet Leadership Awards until April 30th, 2010. Click here for a nomination form

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Fleet Challenge addresses delegates at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Sustainable TransForum

Fleet Challenge participated in the first ever Ontario Ministry of Transportation Sustainable TransForum. Keynote speakers for the TransForum included the Honourable Donna Cansfield, then Ontario Minister of Transportation and David Anderson, former Federal Environment Minister. Roger Smith of Fleet Challenge delivered a presentation on "Fuelling Fuel Efficiency" at the event. Click here for a message from Ontario's Minister of Transportation, Jim Bradley and to have a look at the TransForum Summary Report, including all speaker presentations for the two day event.

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