Philadelphia is revving up its efforts to curb the city's carbon emissions, according to the latest report from the Office of Sustainability. The city's Municipal Clean Fleet Plan is shifting gears, moving away from gas-guzzlers and steering towards an eco-friendlier fleet of over 6,000 vehicles.

In a bid to trim down carbon pollution, the City of Brotherly Love has boosted its battery-electric vehicle fleet by a staggering 400 percent, reaching nearly 250 cars. The city, aims to reduce emissions from light- and medium-duty vehicles by at least 45 percent by 2030, and it's already cut these emissions by 10 percent since 2019, according to details from the progress report. A Clean Fleet Committee now convenes quarterly to keep the wheels turning on this electric transition.

As part of the sustainability drive, the number of city-owned EV chargers has surpassed the 100 mark, spread over 54 facilities. Additionally, Philly is all charged up for the introduction of its first Level 3 Fast Charger in early 2024. "Transitioning to electric vehicles lowers our carbon footprint, and produces cleaner air and family-sustaining jobs in Philadelphia," Mayor Cherelle L. Parker was quoted in the report, tipping her hat to a pollution-free, job-rich future for the city.

Philadelphia's transportation sector, including its municipal fleet, was tagged for 15.7 percent of the city government's carbon emissions back in 2022. The recent report suggests a commitment to wipe out emissions across not only transportation, but also buildings, energy, and waste sectors by the mid-21st century. The Office of Sustainability remains at the helm of these initiatives, forging ahead to meet expert recommendations and secure a future resistant to the escalating challenges of climate change.