GF Blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Wis. City to Buy Grant-Funded EVs

The City of Madison, Wis., projects that buying 20 plug-in electric vehicles will save the city in fuel and maintenance costs as well as reduce emissions.

November 14, 2018
Wis. City to Buy Grant-Funded EVs

Madison is purchasing 20 Bolt electric cars.

Photo courtesy of GM

1 min to read


The City of Madison, Wis., will invest in 20 electric vehicles (EVs) partially funded by a state grant, The Badger Herald reported.

The city requested $129,300 in grants to cover the incremental cost of purchasing 20 plug-in EVs (Chevrolet Bolts) to replace aging sedans. The grant application stated that the city expects savings of $174,000 in fuel costs and $130,000 in maintenance costs over the 10-year life of the EVs. Even without grant funding, the city expects to recover the higher upfront cost of the EVs in 4.24 years.

Ad Loading...

The prices of gasoline, diesel, and biodiesel have been increasing, “causing a significant negative impact to the Fleet Service operating budget,” city staffers wrote on the application. “The grant would reduce the city’s dependence on the fluctuating fossil fuel market and offset some of its budget implications.”

The vehicles will also help the city comply with its goal of transitioning to 100% renewable energy. Transitioning 20 sedans to renewable fuels will save 90,000 gallons of gasoline over 10 years and prevent the emission 1,200 tons of greenhouse gases.

Madison Gas & Electric will contribute $10,000 to cover the cost of Level 2 chargers for the city’s EVs. The Badger Herald reported that city gets the majority of its energy from MGE, which has purchased a wind farm and has conducted a solar pilot project.

More Green Fleet

Graphic of the Hawaiian Islands with the American Biogas Council logo highlighting Hawaii’s new clean fuel legislation supporting renewable natural gas and biogas energy projects.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseJune 2, 2026

Hawaii Passes Clean Fuel Policy

Hawaii lawmakers passed clean fuel legislation that could support renewable natural gas production, biogas-powered transportation, and lower-carbon fueling options for public and commercial fleets.

Read More →
wheels geotab
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.

Read More →
fleetio coast pay
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?

Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Beam Global EV ARC solar-powered charging stations installed in Stanislaus County, California, providing off-grid EV fleet charging with on-site renewable energy.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseMay 29, 2026

Stanislaus County Deploys Ten Beam Global EV ARC Systems to Support County Fleet Electrification

Stanislaus County deployed 10 off-grid solar-powered EV charging systems and a mobile charging trailer from Beam Global to support its electric fleet operations and emergency response flexibility.

Read More →
a battery electriv city bus and a Heliox battery charger
Green Fleetby Staff WriterMay 26, 2026

Heliox Pilots 480-kW Bus Charger with King County Metro

King County Metro is piloting Heliox’s new 480-kW Flex Pro charger to support expansion of its battery-electric bus fleet and depot charging infrastructure. The compact charging system supports pantograph and plug-in charging configurations for high-density transit operations.

Read More →
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation and its partners dedicated Maui’s second National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program charging station at Kapalua Airport on Wednesday, May 13.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseMay 20, 2026

HDOT Commissions New NEVI Fast-Charging Site at Maui Kapalua Airport

HDOT, community leaders and project partners recently participated in a commissioning and blessing ceremony celebrating the opening of the new charging site.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of an electric vehicle with a panoramic glass roof highlighting Eastman’s Saflex Evoca XIR.SR infrared-reflective interlayer technology.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseMay 13, 2026

EV Efficiency Beyond the Battery

Eastman launched Saflex Evoca XIR.SR, an infrared-reflective interlayer for EV panoramic sunroofs designed to reduce cabin heat, improve occupant comfort, and support battery efficiency.

Read More →
Youtube thumbnail with EVs and charger and editor Nichole
Green FleetApril 30, 2026

Revisiting the EV Conversation | The Fleet Breakroom

EVs have been a major part of the fleet conversation for years, but where does that conversation stand now?

Read More →
A Long Beach Refuse Truck.
Green FleetApril 24, 2026

Long Beach Debuts First Electric Refuse Trucks in Fleet Pilot

The City of Long Beach, California, has unveiled its first two all-electric garbage trucks, marking the start of a pilot program as the city evaluates a broader transition away from compressed natural gas.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic illustrating Beam Global and HEVO’s autonomous wireless EV charging platform designed to support autonomous vehicles and electric fleets using solar-powered charging infrastructure.
Green Fleetby News/Media ReleaseMarch 18, 2026

Beam Global and HEVO Inc. Launch Market Ready Autonomous Charging Platform for Autonomous Vehicles

Beam Global and HEVO have launched an integrated autonomous wireless charging system that pairs off-grid solar EV infrastructure with wireless charging technology, designed to support autonomous vehicle operations and electric fleet deployments.

Read More →