The City of Indianapolis’ 212 plug-in electric vehicles leased from Vision Fleet have saved the city more than 90,000 gallons of gasoline since they were deployed in early 2014, according to new data from Vision Fleet.

Vision Fleet released year-end metrics on the performance of the Indianapolis municipal electric vehicle (EV) fleet that became embrolied in city politics after the city partnered with the lessor in February of 2014.  

The city’s EVs have driven more than 2.1 million miles, 770,000 of which were electric miles, as of mid-December. Those electric miles have saved the equivalent of removing 160 gas-powered cars from the road. The deployment of EVs made it possible for IMPD to redeploy 50 pursuit-rated vehicles for public safety pursuit duties, according to Vision Fleet.

The update also addresses various concerns previously bought up. The city’s renegotiated contract provides additional savings and gives departments more authority over the types of vehicles they get, according to Vision Fleet. The company has nearly completed, at its own expense, home inspections of all EV fleet drivers to ensure electrical systems are capable of charging the vehicles. The company reports that drivers surveyed are happy with the EV fleet, and there are plans to order new vehicles in January.

The program is similar to a lease and makes the transition to EVs easier. Vision Fleet has identified hundreds of additional use cases for EVs within the city’s fleet of nearly 4,000 vehicles.  

"Nearly two years after this program started, we're thrilled by the results that we've been able to achieve for the fleet and Indianapolis citizens," said Michael Brylawski, Vision Fleet's chief executive.

The city can realize even more efficiencies as it increases car-sharing and charging opportunities, which are available to the City under a publicly renegotiated contract approved by the Board of Public Works last month, the company said.

"In 2013, the Department of Public Safety's fleet efficiency team recommended transitioning most of its more than 1,000 non-pursuit vehicles to hybrid or plug-in electric vehicles," Brylawski said. "We're not there yet, but we're well on our way."