IU Bloomington’s Fleet Services team was recognized for its impact on air quality in Indiana through its use of both hybrid electric and electric vehicles this year.
Indiana University received the Alternative Fuel Leader – Electric award from the Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition during its annual awards reception. Each year, Greater Indiana recognizes outstanding contributions to those who help advance their mission.
IU replaced 15 standard mid-size sedans with 15 hybrid electric sedans and added five electric vehicles in facility operations, in addition to two hybrid police SUVs. Fleet Services has helped reduce IU’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 36 metric tons of carbon dioxide and plans to continue increasing the overall number of electric and hybrid electric vehicles as they’re available.
Amanda Wilson, director of Fleet Services. | Photo courtesy of Auxiliary Business Services
“We’ve been working with Sustain IU and department vehicle users to incorporate alternative fuel vehicles into the fleet for the last few years,” said Amanda Wilson, director of Fleet Services. “We found we would not only reduce fuel consumption from making the switch to hybrid electric sedans, but we would also save on maintenance costs at the same time.
“Our team is honored to receive this award and to do our part to help reduce emissions and make a difference on our footprint in central Indiana.”
“Sustain IU has been tracking the university’s greenhouse gas emissions for nearly a decade,” said Makayla Bonney, assistant director at Sustain IU. “Fleet has been an important partner as we aim to reach our sustainability goals.
“Amanda and her team’s work to add more electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as vehicles that run on biodiesel, all help to lower the university’s greenhouse gas emissions. Not only that, but Fleet Services also recycles used tires, batteries and motor oil, which adds to the sustainability of the fleet.”
For more information on IU’s sustainability goals and how you can make an impact, visit Sustain IU’s website.
Teresa Mackin is a communications consultant with IU Studios.
Makayla Bonney, assistant director of Sustain IU, accepts the Alternative Fuel Leader Award for Electric from Kerri Garvin, director of Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition. | Photo courtesy of the Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition