Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mayor William Peduto put forward legislation Aug. 24 to increase the capital equipment acquisition budget by $7.6 million, for a total of $10.4 million, to expand the city’s electric vehicle fleet with funding from the American Rescue Plan.

The funding includes the purchase of five electric refuse packers and two electric recycling packers, the first in the City of Pittsburgh. It also proposes purchasing:  

• 2 electric DPW Forestry pickup trucks 

• 1 electric Parks & Rec pickup trucks  

• 5 electric DPW Facilities pickup trucks 

• 3 electric DPW Facilities vans 

• 2 electric motor pool vehicles 

• 13 electric power line inspector vehicles 

• 3 electric Department of Mobility & Infrastructure pickup trucks

The funding includes additional electric vehicle charging infrastructure for the city. The investment supports the goals laid out in the city’s Climate Action Plan 3.0 to operate a fossil-fuel-free fleet and reduce transportation emissions by 2030.  

The legislation also includes using American Rescue Plan funding to purchase two aerial fire trucks and one pumper fire truck.

The city has also received a $113,702 grant from the United States Department of Justice Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Bicycle Unit.  

The unit will use the funding to purchase electric bikes for police officers to assist with the rigorous demands of bicycle patrols and the city's topography. The unit is part of the bureau’s overall community policing strategy, as bicycle officers have enhanced mobility within densely populated districts, high visibility, and accessibility to the public.

Legislation to accept the grant funding was submitted to the City Council on Aug 24.