Photo via Max Pixel

Photo via Max Pixel

The City of Encinitas, Calif., is moving forward with a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) plan that will result in the conversion of its light-duty fleet to electric-powered vehicles and its heavier vehicles to run on renewable diesel. The city council approved a ZEV plan at a March 14 meeting, according to The Coast News Group.

The city currently has 33 heavy and medium duty diesel vehicles and 56 light duty vehicles in the municipal fleet, according to city documents. This includes 11 hybrid vehicles, one plug-in hybrid vehicle, and one battery-electric vehicle. Its purchasing policy states that the city follows a seven-year replacement cycle. If this replacement cycle is followed with the ZEV plan in place, the city will be able to transition all gasoline-fueled vehicles to electric vehicles by 2030, as mandated by the city’s Climate Action Plan.

This year’s replacement cycle calls for the replacement of eight vehicles. Three of these will be replaced with electrified offerings, including a Ford F-150 with XL Hybrids conversion kit, Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid, and Ford Focus battery-electric vehicle. Other vehicles were replaced with gasoline and diesel options because no stock electrified vehicles were available.

The vehicles cost $295,000 to purchase and $180,000 to upfit. The city uses the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) cooperative contract for the vehicles.

The city also plans to switch to use of renewable diesel by 2020.

City council also approved a contract for the installation of 10 electric vehicle charging stations for $6,300 and to upgrade three charging stations for a cost of $5,500.

See the National Joint Powers Association exhibit at Government Fleet Expo, June 4-7 in San Diego, Calif. 

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