Monterey County, Calif., is purchasing six electric vehicles almost entirely funded with grant money. The county has received its first two vehicles (Chevrolet Spark EVs) and expects to take delivery of the rest in the next four months, said Dennis Scamardo, CAFM, fleet manager.

A grant from Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District awarded the county $27,000 per vehicle for the six cars. The county is paying the remaining $855 per vehicle (which includes a quick charge option) as well as taxes.

Last year, Monterey County received two EVs under a similar grant, and Scamardo said the six additional vehicles will increase the county’s all-electric vehicle fleet to 10.

Scamardo plans to place at least one vehicle into the newly implemented Invers car share program, where users can rent by the hour or day. “Introducing as many people as possible to unfamiliar technology makes people more comfortable with the technology,” he said.

There are also several departments that have fixed and regular routes where electric vehicles are well suited, Scamardo said.

The new vehicles help the fleet comply with its green vehicle management and procurement policy, which dictates vehicle procurement as well as utilization standards that encourage departments to give up underutilized vehicles.

The Monterey Bay Air Pollution Control District awarded a total of $1.4 million for air quality improvement projects, which are funded by DMV fees.