PUC Services Inc. is helping lead the way in electrification for its community, reducing both costs and greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning 52 per cent of its gas-powered passenger vehicles into electric vehicles (EVS).
In 2024, PUC saved nearly $52,000 in fuel and maintenance costs. As a city-owned utility this means savings for Sault Ste. Marie taxpayers.
Today, the PUC fleet includes 26 EVs, including SUVs and pickup trucks, with eight added in 2024 alone.
PUC says multiple factors drove its decision to transition to EVS.
- Lower operating costs: EVs typically cost less to maintain and fuel over their lifetime.
- Environmental benefits: EV adoption reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Leadership in sustainability: This initiative aligns with PUC’s long-term environmental goals.
The initiative has been successful despite the typical challenges that, in the past, had been associated with EVs. When it began in 2019, most of PUC’s sites lacked EV infrastructure, and they had to develop custom solutions for each building to install chargers.
Despite a few early hurdles, PUC senior management remained supportive throughout the transition process. Thanks to their support, PUC now has the skills and experience to install EV chargers in a wide range of buildings across their service area.
While the focus has been on passenger vehicles, which are more widely available as EVs, PUC is weighing their options for replacing its heavy-duty vehicles. Currently, those vehicles, like bucket trucks, remain gas-powered; to guarantee they remain available in case of a long-term power outage. PUC is monitoring the EV market and will consider EVs when their heavy-duty vehicles reach the end of their lifespan.
Operationally, the change to EVs has been seamless. While planning long-distance trips, PUC staff plan their route more carefully to ensure that there are charging stations along the route.
Parking at PUC sites requires more planning to ensure vehicles are near chargers. Currently, PUC has one charger for each vehicle but is investigating more efficient options as they grow their fleet.
The Sault Ste. Marie based utility hopes its transition to EVs will influence more consumers to consider EVs. There has already been an increased interest with questions about EVs.
To support consumers who are interested in transitioning to EVS, PUC offers a home charger program, which allows customers to rent an EV charger from the utility at a monthly rate.
This cost-effective solution also includes ensuring chargers are installed at homes by a licensed electrician, critical to homeowners’ safety and protection of their properties. To learn more about PUC, visit their website.