In a bid to rapidly push toward environmental sustainability, San Marcos has rolled out a fresh fleet of all-electric vehicles—a move that city officials say could slash fuel costs and streamline operations. The city debuted five new electric vehicles earlier this week, a fleet comprising three Ford F-150 Lightning trucks and a pair of Toyota bZ4X cars. This comes as part of the strategic intent to ensure the protection and responsible management of San Marcos' natural resources, a priority set by the City Council.
As detailed in a mySanAntonio report, these vehicles are to be utilized by staff across various departments, with applications extending from code enforcement to public works. The transition to electric vehicles is not just an ecological effort but is anticipated to also "significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health, and save taxpayer money," per Fleet Manager Ricky Gee. Meanwhile, the annual lease payment for these vehicles is pegged at $41,140.
In a similar stride, San Marcos' Public Works Director Sabas Avila conveyed the city's dedication to reducing their ecological footprint. "City Council has a strategic initiative to protect the environment and provide environmental stewardship of our natural resources," Avila told CBS Austin. The leased vehicles, secured for less than $50,000 a year, are seen as not only a commitment to greener practices but as a client-centric effort aimed toward cost-saving for the citizens of San Marcos.
Moreover, these electric models are estimated to operate at about 7 cents a mile, optimizing the city's operational costs with lower mileage expenses. Avila further mentioned that improving air quality for the residents goes hand in hand with these cost-saving measures. "Clean air is important to our region, and to the citizens that live in our city," he emphasized. City officials are also set to install three electric charging stations specifically for the city's fleet, broadening the infrastructure to support this eco-friendly shift. Public charging stations have already been made available throughout San Marcos.
The all-electric initiative marks the beginning of a broader agenda, as the city plans to continue introducing more electric vehicles into its fleet over the next several years. This initial foray with the five electric vehicles will serve to truly gauge how well they can integrate into and benefit a municipal fleet environment. With unanimous City Council support and the prospect of tangible environmental and economic benefits, San Marcos is poised to be at the forefront of a greener, more cost-effective municipal future.
