Mayor Forms Sustainability Team, Adds Electric Cars To City Fleet

TAMPA, FL — The City of Tampa’s fleet is expanding along with its commitment to sustainability with the addition of nine electric vehicles.

The electric vehicles join the 90 compressed natural gas-powered garbage trucks and more than 30 hybrid vehicles currently in Tampa’s fleet.

The electric vehicles were purchased as a part of Mayor Jane Castor’s T3 initiative with long-term plans of moving to 100 percent electric vehicles by purchasing 10 additional vehicles each year.

It's just one of a number of steps Castor has taken to safeguard the environment.

She recently formed a 19-member Sustainability and Resiliency advisory team with U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, which will meet during the net year to discuss how the city can counter the impact of climate changes and "build a stronger, greener and more resilient city."

Kathy Castor heads the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis in Congress.

The mayor said the team will be headed by newly named Tampa sustainability and resilience officer Whit Remer, and will include experts, key stakeholders and community leaders.

The team's mission is to identify green energy solutions that will minimize the ecological footprint and environmental impact.

"But it also includes other ways we can build a stronger city as a whole," Castor said. "This advisory team will work with all departments to ensure we are implementing sustainable practices that can be scaled as the city grows. This will allow us to meet the needs of our growing city while supporting the critical services that are essential to daily life."