In 2002, the City of Hamilton in Ontario bought 12 gas-electric hybrid vehicles. At the time, no city in Canada had more hybrids in its fleet. It was an ambitious move that was soon followed by cities across the country. Today, Hamilton has 60 hybrids in its fleet and an aggressive program to continue reducing emissions and cutting down on fossil fuels.

Earlier this year, the city's performance was recognized by the Vancouver-based Fraser Basin Council (FBC) with the first-ever rating for fleet excellence under the FBC's E3 Fleet program.

Launched in 2006, E3 Fleet is a Canada-wide program that assists public and private-sector fleet vehicles meet green standards for performance. It recognizes achievements in green fleet performance through a rating system based on several criteria, including fleet action plan, training and awareness, idling reduction, vehicle purchasing, fuel data management, operations and maintenance, trip and route planning, utilization management, fuel efficiency, and greenhouse gas performance.

The program currently has 18 member fleets in Canada, including municipalities, utilities and urban delivery companies operating a total of more than 15,000 vehicles.

E3 Fleet project manager Jim Vanderwal says the program is similar to LEED certification for the construction of buildings.

"We developed the program in collaboration with fleet managers for fleet managers," says Mr. Vanderwal. "E3 Fleet provides services and resources to assist trucking, utility, urban delivery, courier, government and other fleets that want to increase fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and save money."

Chris Hill, manager of central fleet for the City of Hamilton's Public Works Department, says implementing E3 Fleet was not rocket science and it made financial sense.

"We use 10 million litres of fuel a year. That's just over $10 million, so we are always looking at ways to cut that cost," says Mr. Hill. "In 2006, our fuel efficiency was five per cent better than 2005, mainly due to the use of hybrids, which consume 50 per cent less fuel than the vehicles they replaced."

Hamilton's green fleet program was approved by Hamilton city council in 2005. The city's 60 hybrid vehicles include Ford Escape SUVs, Chevrolet Silverado pickups and Toyota Prius sedans. The next step, says Mr. Hill is to increase biodiesel usage in larger diesel vehicles for which there is not yet a hybrid option.

He believes the growth of green fleets is sending a strong message to automobile manufacturers. "We need more models and we need hybrids that can replace our larger diesel vehicles."

Mr. Hill says the city's green fleet initiative is supported and appreciated by residents. "This is not only good corporate citizenship, it's also financially responsible because it will save money in the longer term and help protect people's health."

Richmond, B.C.-based Novex Couriers is also a member of E3 Fleet. The company's fleet currently includes 17 hybrids and three factory-built natural gas vans that travel more than 25,000km a day throughout the Lower Mainland. The use of hybrids instead of regular gasoline-powered vehicles reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 450kg a day.

Novex CEO Rob Safrata says businesses that pollute have a responsibility to clean up or reduce pollution.

"They can differentiate themselves and be at less risk. The bigger risk now is to not act," he says.