The City of San Marcos, Texas, is stepping up its game in environmental responsibility with the addition of five new all-electric vehicles to its city fleet. The eco-friendly move consists of three Ford F-150 Lightning trucks and two Toyota bZ4X cars, slated for use in various City operations including, Code Enforcement and Transit services as well as Public Works Fleet services, officials announced.
Adhering to the City Council’s commitment to safeguarding the natural environment, the new vehicles represent a unified ambition to foster sustainability. The leasing agreement, which includes these electric powerhouses, was given the thumbs up by the City Council and comes with an annual price tag of $42,140. Despite, the initial costs, the consensus is that this move will reflect long-term savings and environmental gains.
The infrastructure for these vehicles is also getting a jolt. San Marcos has installed three level 2 dual charging stations around the city to support the recharging needs of the new additions. These stations are primed to cater to the electric vehicles that boast a range of 230 to 255 miles per charge ensuring that staff can perform their duties without the worry of running out of juice too soon.
Ricky Gee, the Fleet Manager for the City, was optimistic about the benefits of this transition. “Adding the all-electric to our fleet is a major step toward the goal of becoming more environmentally friendly and sustainable,” Gee said. According to municipal plans, this is just the beginning, as San Marcos looks to further expand its electric lineup in the fleet over the coming years with the dual aim of reducing its carbon footprint, and trimming down on fuel-related expenditures.
Notably, these green machines are expected to slash both fuel costs and the gas emissions historically associated with their gasoline-powered counterparts. It's a clear signal that the City of San Marcos is pushing forward with actionable measures to address environmental concerns while also keeping an eye on the bottom line for taxpayers.
