Going All-In on Electric Vehicles
World EV (Electric Vehicle) Day is Thursday, Sept. 9. Already possessing the largest hybrid fleet among Nevada government agencies, Clark County is now pushing toward an all-EV fleet by 2050 by way of its sustainability and climate action plan—All-In Clark County. Officials with the County’s Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES), the agency charged with leading the All-In efforts, are confident Clark County can achieve the 2050 goal.
“Between industrial vehicles and traditional automobiles, we’ve already added more than 50 electric vehicles to our fleet and our plan is to continue adding more,” said DES Director Marci Henson. “With All-In Clark County as our roadmap I’m confident we can meet our EV benchmarks along the way to achieving zero-emission status by 2050.”
The 2050 zero-emission pledge folds into the County’s larger sustainability goals, which include:
- Earning a Clean Cities designation from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Expanding EV charging stations—currently more than 220 in Clark County—and infrastructure throughout the region.
- Achieving a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030.
- Converting 80 percent of the County’s fleet to alternative fuel vehicles by 2030.
- 100 percent EV fleet by 2050.
As of 2021, Clark County has 58 EVs in its fleet, including 11 Chevrolet Volts and six Teslas. The remaining EVs, such as forklifts and carts, are industrial-use vehicles. Beyond addressing County operations, All-In Clark County includes a communitywide sustainability and climate action plan that will further help reduce GHGs and improve local air quality. In addition to reducing air pollution, increased EV investment leads to expanded opportunities for local funding and fuel independence.
Clean Cities Designation
Clark County is gaining its Clean Cities designation through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The initiative, managed through DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office, works with a diverse group of stakeholders to reduce emissions across the transportation sector including public and private utilities, local government, private businesses, schools, airports and off-roading vehicles. DES officials expect to be ready for designation review in 2022.
“A Clean Cities designation will signal to our visitors and our residents that we’re committed to combating climate change and developing a clean, sustainable Clark County for generations to follow,” said Henson.
About World EV Day
World EV (Electric Vehicle) Day was established in 2020 by sustainability media company Green TV to increase awareness about electric vehicles, their environment importance and cost effectiveness. Initially a pledge campaign with countries around the world to adopt EV technology and use, World EV Day is now an annual observance each Sept. 9.
About the Department of Environment and Sustainability
The Department of Environment and Sustainability is the air pollution control agency, regional Endangered Species Act compliance program, and sustainability office for all of Clark County, Nevada. Established as the Department of Air Quality by the Clark County Commission in 2001, it was renamed in 2020 and is comprised of three divisions: Air Quality, Desert Conservation Program and Office of Sustainability. Through these three divisions, DES is ensuring the air we share meets healthful, regulatory standards, administering the County's Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan and addressing climate change.
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Clark County is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect and accountability. With jurisdiction over the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and covering an area the size of New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 11th-largest county and provides extensive regional services to 2.3 million citizens and 45.6 million visitors a year (2019). Included are the nation’s 7th-busiest airport, air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public hospital, University Medical Center. The County also provides municipal services that are traditionally provided by cities to 1 million residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development.