Our Environmental Footprint
Sprinters
When our e-bikes are unsuitable for a job, we utilize a modest fleet of Sprinter vans that run on diesel. These robust vehicles act as a small version of the TCE shop, allowing us to transport every tool our team might need to each site; as well as any large, heavy materials needed to complete the job. This brand of efficiency helps us avoid multiple trips to each site and supplier, significantly cutting our fuel emissions and environmental costs. We understand that diesel is slightly less eco-efficient than petrol, however diesel vehicles tend to require less maintenance and can last ten years longer than those that run on petrol. All things considered, we only serve clients that are within a certain radius of our shop, further reducing our toll on the environment when fueling up.
LED Lighting Replacements
A common Service Call that we receive involves replacing vintage fluorescent bulb fixtures. In these cases, we always recommend updating the fixture altogether with modern LEDs. New LED bulbs cost slightly more upfront, but they can last 5 times as long as old fluorescents. Plus, old bulbs can contain PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyl) and mercury proving hazardous if mishandled. If safety and price wasn’t convincing enough: the brightness of 2 LED bulbs far outmatches 4 fluorescent bulbs. In just a few years, LED upgrades will pay themselves off in energy-saving costs, and refitting a fixture is quick and easy!
E-Bikes
When the job isn’t too big for a bicycle, our team hops on one of our locally-sourced cargo e-bikes. These provide exceptional value to our staff as they get to motor around taking in the beauty of Vancouver and, most importantly, they significantly diminish our carbon footprint. Our e-bikes can travel about 50km on a fully charged battery, and we have the capacity to add more batteries to the bank should the need arise. That said, we do have trouble mounting ladders to the frame, and the bikes take more time to charge than a fill-up at the gas station, so we can appreciate the value of a bigger vehicle from time to time.
It’s also worth noting, in our quest to find the perfect steeds for TCE, it was essential that we source and maintain our bikes through local businesses. Thanks to our local cycling shops, these high-quality super bikes will last us many, many years to come.