World EV (Electric Vehicle) Day is Thursday, Sept. 9. Already possessing the largest hybrid fleet among Nevada government agencies, Clark County is now pushing toward an all-EV fleet by 2050 by way of its sustainability and climate action plan—All-In Clark County. Officials with the County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES), the agency charged with leading the All-In efforts, are confident Clark County can achieve the 2050 goal.
“Between industrial vehicles and traditional automobiles, we’ve already added more than 50 electric vehicles to our fleet and our plan is to continue adding more,” said DES Director Marci Henson. “With All-In Clark County as our roadmap I’m confident we can meet our EV benchmarks along the way to achieving zero-emission status by 2050.”
The 2050 zero-emission pledge folds into the County’s larger sustainability goals, which include:
· Earning a Clean Cities designation from the U.S. Department of Energy.
· Expanding EV charging stations—currently more than 220 in Clark County—and infrastructure throughout the region.
· Achieving a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030.
· Converting 80 percent of the County’s fleet to alternative fuel vehicles by 2030.
· 100 percent EV fleet by 2050.
As of 2021, Clark County has 58 EVs in its fleet, including 11 Chevrolet Volts and six Teslas. The remaining EVs, such as forklifts and carts, are industrial-use vehicles. Beyond addressing County operations, All-In Clark County includes a communitywide sustainability and climate action plan that will further help reduce GHGs and improve local air quality. In addition to reducing air pollution, increased EV investment leads to expanded opportunities for local funding and fuel independence.
Clean Cities Designation
Clark County is gaining its Clean Cities designation through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The initiative, managed through DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office, works with a diverse group of stakeholders to reduce emissions across the transportation sector including public and private utilities, local government, private businesses, schools, airports and off-roading vehicles. DES officials expect to be ready for designation review in 2022.
“A Clean Cities designation will signal to our visitors and our residents that we’re committed to combating climate change and developing a clean, sustainable Clark County for generations to follow,” said Henson.
