6/12/2010 8:28:22 AM

June 9, 2010

Fifth annual Green Fleet Expo brings North American fleet managers to Toronto

The cities of Toronto and Hamilton, and Fleet Challenge Ontario, today kicked off day one of the two-day Green Fleet Expo (GFX) number five at the Ashtonbee Campus of Centennial College. This is their fifth annual GFX.

Deputy Minister of Transportation Bruce McCuaig, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Gord Miller, and Vicki Bismilla, Centennial College Vice President and Chief Learning Officer, welcomed approximately 300 public and private sector fleet managers from across North America.

"The City of Toronto is pleased to be co-hosting GFX with the City of Hamilton and Fleet Challenge Ontario again," Gerry Pietschmann, the City of Toronto’s Fleet Services Director. "This event is an excellent way for the private and public sectors and the transportation industry to get together to exchange information about new green fleet technology. By using green vehicle alternatives, the City of Toronto demonstrates its commitment to help clear the air."

"This is our fifth year of partnership with the City of Toronto Fleet Services Division and Fleet Challenge Ontario to present the Green Fleet Expo," said Chris Hill, Manager of Central Fleet for the City of Hamilton. "GFX grows every year in participation by fleet managers and the automotive industry. It showcases what leading fleets have actually done to reduce emissions and fuel use. This is a powerful message that we want more efficient choices for our fleets."

Based on participant feedback from last year, organizers changed the format to a two-day event, which includes exhibits from transportation industry vendors, presentations on alternative fuels and electric vehicles, panel discussions on light and heavy-duty vehicles, green government practices, special green fleet initiatives, green fleet leadership awards and the ever popular ride-and-drive.

On June 10, the City of Toronto will release the Green Vehicle Evaluation and Selection Tool (GVEST). This tool is available free to private and public fleet managers to help them select the best green trucks for their fleet. The tool was developed to support Toronto's air quality improvement and information sharing goals, and was funded by the Toronto Atmospheric Fund.

Sponsors for this year's event include the Fleet Challenge Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Enbridge Gas Distribution, Automotive Resources International (ARI) and Centennial College, and General Motors Canada a financial contributor. GFX will return to Hamilton in 2011.

More information about GFX is available at http://www.toronto.ca/fleet.

Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents. For information about non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.