Salt Lake City’s new Electrified Transportation Resolution, a joint resolution between Mayor Erin Mendenhall and the City Council, establishes a joint commitment to incorporate and promote clean energy transportation technology as an important solution in reducing carbon emissions and pollutants that impact air quality.

The resolution includes goals of electrifying modes of transportation that have historically relied on gasoline, diesel, or natural gas. Through the resolution, the city commits to expanding electric vehicles for its internal fleet and to working with external partners to electrify public transit and smart mobility platforms such as rideshare and car share. Through expansion of electric vehicle infrastructure, the city aims to encourage greater adoption of electric vehicle technology by the public and non-government fleets.

The joint resolution stated the city will strive to ensure the following:

• All new sedans purchased will be plug-in vehicles by 2023

• All new sports utility vehicles (SUVs) purchased will be plug-in vehicles by 2025

• All new pickup trucks purchased will be plug-in vehicles by 2027

• All new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and off-road equipment purchases will be evaluated for electric options prior to purchase

• The city will financially support the charging infrastructure necessary to own and operate plug-in vehicles within its fleet

In 2018, the city created an Electrified Transportation Roadmap that set best practices for local governments in Utah regarding electrified transportation. Both the resolution and the roadmap will help the city achieve milestones identified in its ambitious Climate Positive 2040 plan, which sets two interrelated goals of reaching 100% renewable community electricity by 2030 and reducing community greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

The resolution was adopted Dec. 8 and recorded Jan. 5. The goals adopted through this resolution will be included in the Mayor’s Sustainability Plan.