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Published on April 01, 2024
San Marcos Goes Green with New All-Electric Municipal FleetSource: City of San Marcos

San Marcos is going electric, swapping out polluting vehicles for a cleaner, greener fleet. As part of a newly launched initiative, the city rolled out five all-electric vehicles, including three Ford F-150 Lightning trucks and two Toyota bZ4X cars. These vehicles, which emerged early this week, will serve various municipal departments in day-to-day operations, from code enforcement to public works, according to MYSA.

The move aligns with the City Council's unanimous vote for environmental responsibility, and the cars come courtesy of a leasing agreement struck with Enterprise Fleet Management, Inc. This strategic decision not only reflects the city's commitment to environmental protection but also presents potential savings in taxpayer dollars. Fleet Manager Ricky Gee highlighted the significance, stating, "Adding the all-electric to our fleet is a major step toward the goal of becoming more environmentally friendly and sustainable," as reported by the San Marcos Record.

This green initiative isn't just for show. The fleet's yearly lease will cost the city $42,140, a figure that is expected to be offset by the reduced need for fuel and lower maintenance overheads compared to their gas-guzzling predecessors. In a move to facilitate ease of use for the new electric vehicles, San Marcos installed three Level 2 dual charging stations around the city.

The environmental and public health benefits are clear, with these all-electric vehicles projected to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions. City officials also confirmed plans to continue expanding their fleet with additional electric models in the coming years, aiming to reduce the city's broader carbon footprint, as detailed by MYSA.

Austin-Science, Tech & Medicine