Transportation
The combustion of fossil fuels in on-road transportation, including travel by passenger vehicles, freight and service vehicles, and transit vehicles, is the largest source of emissions in Howard County. Maximizing the use of electric vehicles and reducing our vehicle miles traveled (VMT) will reduce our emissions by 34%.
Electric Vehicles
Leading by Example: Municipal Fleet
Howard County government has already taken steps toward addressing vehicle emissions by adopting a Green Fleet Policy in 2020. The policy addresses reducing idling, increasing fuel efficiency, right sizing the fleet, and purchasing electric vehicles. Approximately 25% of the Howard County government fleet already is either electric or hybrid, including public safety and administrative vehicles, with plans to continue replacing aging fleet vehicles with electric or hybrids whenever possible.
Howard County also has significantly increased the availability of electric vehicle charging stations for fleet vehicles, employees, and the public by adding over 100 new charging stations at more than a dozen County facilities over the past five years.
The Howard County Sheriff's Department Utilizes an All-Electric Ford Mustang Mach-E Vehicle.
County Executive Calvin Ball tries out one of the EV Charging stations on County property.
Electric Vehicles
Howard County Clean Miles Club
To supercharge Howard County’s adoption of EVs and support potential EV-converts, the Office of Community Sustainability has formed a “Clean Miles Club” networking group for current and prospective EV owners. The program is designed to share EV events, partnerships, and funding opportunities, and to give participants a forum for discussing EV-related successes and challenges.
To join the Clean Miles Club, please fill out this short electric vehicle survey, which is open to Howard County drivers of all vehicle types. You can also take the survey without joining the Clean Miles Club.
Electric Vehicles
Charging Locations
More EVs on the road means fewer gasoline-burning cars, which can significantly lower our transportation emissions and improve local air quality. Use the Station Locator to find an EV charging station near you!
To filter by your vehicle's plug type, go to https://plugshare.com for advanced filtering options. You can even plan your trip if you create an account!
What You Can Do
Maximize the Use of Electric Vehicles
Call to Action: Help family, friends, neighbors, and other community members purchase electric vehicles. Peer-to-peer ambassadors can share information and their personal experiences with EVs.
VMT Reduction
Low-Carbon Mobility
Although EVs reduce emissions, they do not eliminate them. Increased use of public transportation and shifting to walking and biking will further reduce emissions from transportation. The creation of safe walking and biking infrastructure is critical to encouraging these transportation methods.
Howard County had the fifth highest vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in Maryland in 2019. High VMT contributes to transportation being the largest source of GHG emissions within Howard County. Opportunities to lower VMT include expanding transit options and reliability, increasing transportation connections from homes to jobs and amenities, expanding non-motorized transportation options, increasing telework opportunities, and encouraging behavior changes. Expanding transit access has the additional benefit of improving equitable access for those with few mobility options.
VMT Reduction
Telework
The most sustainable trip is the one not taken. Telework is an essential tool to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) in Howard County, and it has several additional benefits. Telework reduces the number of commuters on the road, which can ease congestion. According to the International Telework Association and Council, teleworking can increase employee productivity more than 20% and decreases employee absenteeism 60%.
For example, 950 Howard County government employees teleworking 77 working days during the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic travelled 2 million fewer miles, saved 95,850 gallons of gasoline, and reduced GHG emissions by 852 metric tons CO2e.
VMT Reduction
Leading by Example: Public Transportation
Howard County provides fixed route and paratransit services via the Regional Transit Agency (RTA), which operates 15 local fixed bus routes in Howard County, Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, and the City of Laurel. RTA connects with MTA Commuter Bus services, the MARC Train, Metrorail, and other local transit systems. Howard County offers unlimited free rides on its fixed bus routes for people ages 60 and up, and reduced rates for students.
RTA Mobility is a curb-to-curb, shared ride transportation service for passengers who are unable to ride fixed route buses due to a disability or age. Explore the RTA and other local service providers here!
What You Can Do
Reduce Your Vehicle Miles Traveled
Call to Action: Reduce vehicle miles traveled by driving less and helping others do the same.
