ST. GEORGE, Utah — One Ram 1500 e-torque and six Toyota Rav4 hybrids are replacing current fleet vehicles used by the Department of University Safety & Risk Management. Both are powered by technology combining an electric battery and a combustion engine, which is designed to cut emissions and boost fuel efficiency. If we can be as safe, get more efficient vehicles, save money and be better sustainable stewards, it’s a win all-round situation, said chief safety officer and executive director of University Safety & Risk Management. We anticipate the new fleet vehicles will save thousands of dollars over their expected lifespan, while making a small but real contribution to a greener, healthier environment. University Police Chief and Public Safety Director, Ron Bridge, is excited about the plans to move toward a new fleet of patrol vehicles which will eliminate idling, reduce emissions and fuel costs. We have received and in-serviced our first two Toyota RAV4 Hybrids with more to come, said Bridge.
“The UT Center for Climate Resilience and Sustainability recognizes the significance of the Department of University (Public) Safety and Risk Management initiative to pursue more sustainable operations and reduce their impacts on the local environment and global climate. In collaboration, our campus organizations estimated the impacts of this transition to hybrid-type vehicles. By replacing the current fleet with the updated and more efficient vehicles, the department will see significant fuel cost savings as well as decrease their carbon footprint with reduced vehicle emissions. Trading in gasoline engine vehicles for hybrids will reduce gas costs by about $1500 per year for every new hybrid vehicle (totaling close to $10,000 per year when all vehicles are replaced). Additionally, every gasoline vehicle replaced with a hybrid model will decrease carbon dioxide emissions by over 3 tons per vehicle per year, and when all are replaced then will be closer to 19 tons of CO2 per year. This reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is the result of better gas mileages, as well as the fact that hybrid vehicles generally do not idle with the engine running like gasoline engines.” – Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Rico Del Sesto, and Assistant professor of Environmental Engineering, Marzieh Ghasemi
For more university safety news, please visit: https://safety.utahtech.edu/university-safety-news/
MEDIA ADVISORY: Three photos are attached US & RM team picture (attached), 2023 Ram 1500 Green Truck of the year and 2023 Toyota Hybrid Rav4. Possible cutline: Hybrids help University Safety & Police to save money by going green. Courtesy of Utah Tech University