In order to deliver our planting, stewardship and education programs in Toronto, York Region and Ajax, LEAF staff have to travel around a fair bit. We strive to use the most environmentally friendly method of transportation, like scheduling our Backyard Tree Planting consultations along the most efficient routes, or taking public transit to deliver presentations. This new electric car now gives us another way do our important work while minimizing our carbon footprint.
Kendra Flagler, Vice-President, Environment, OPG (left), presents Janet McKay, Executive Director, LEAF with the “key” to our new car.
Electric vehicles provide numerous benefits, such as:
They can be recharged overnight when the demand for and cost of electricity are at their lowest, so the cost of “fueling up” is reduced.
They displace traditional vehicles that use fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality; which makes them great for the environment, and
Since they’re powered by electricity, these vehicles reduce our dependence on oil and therefore keep our money in Ontario (where the electricity is generated).
Watch our Twitter and Facebook feeds for the next few weeks to see the LEAF electric car in action! And if you want to learn more about electric vehicles, please visit the OPG website.
LEAF programs are supported by Ontario Power Generation, which provides more than half of Ontario’s electricity, 99.7 per cent of which is free of smog and greenhouse gas emissions. These programs include the Backyard Tree Planting Program, Tree Tours, Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Program and public presentations and workshops. OPG also supports our Urban Forest Demonstration Gardens and The Great Toronto Tree Hunt.
Melissa Williams is LEAF’s Program Manager.