The City of Fort Collins recently adopted some of the most aggressive carbon reduction goals in the country – we’re aiming to cut community greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, and achieve carbon neutrality (100 percent reduction below 2005 levels) by 2050.

Ground travel sources comprise approximately 25 percent of our community’s greenhouse gas emissions, meaning major innovation in our transportation system is needed to achieve the carbon reduction goals. How can we improve our transportation in ways that are cleaner, more efficient, and also convenient and affordable?

Pilot Solar Powered Vehicle

Pilot Solar Powered Vehicle

The Fort Collins Climate Action Framework identifies three primary strategies to advance mobility: (1) shifting land use patterns to shorten trips and reduce the need to drive, (2) driving the adoption of multi-modal transport, and (3) accelerating the adoption of fuel efficient and electric vehicles.

Here at Brendle Group, we are supporting the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles through the recent installation of two electric vehicle charging stations at our Fort Collins, Colorado location. We encourage other businesses and community partners to join us in celebrating National Drive Electric Week – which just wrapped up with festivities around the country to heighten awareness of electric vehicles.

Tesla Model S

Tesla Model S EV

Through our travels, we’re keeping our eyes peeled for innovation in the transportation arena to help our communities achieve their carbon goals. We’ve spotted pilot solar powered electric vehicles in Salt Lake City (shout out to our friends in Utah) and are following the latest news of the Tesla Model S that broke the Consumer Reports scale (literally – it received a 103 out of a possible 100). While it may take a while for some of these new innovations to hit the mass market and be within reach of most households, it is exciting that so much is happening across the country to enhance clean transportation options.

And while alternative vehicles are certainly great, we cannot forget the importance of reducing the need to drive, and the benefits of taking transit. At Brendle Group we have been loving the introduction of Bustang to the region – this innovative transit solution led by Colorado Department of Transportation now connects our two offices with style and convenience. Furthermore, the Surgeon General’s recent announcement of the Step It Up! initiative provides even further motivation for us to get out of our cars – not only to save money and be healthy, but to help us achieve our carbon reduction goals.