The City of Detroit unveiled its first department fleet to be comprised of only electric vehicles.
America’s Motor City purchased 48 Chevy Bolts to be used by the Municipal Parking Department's parking enforcement workers. According to the city, each driver drives an average of 150 miles every day, making the Bolt's 259-mile range perfectly adequate. Furthermore, thanks to the low upfront cost of the Bolt compared to other EVs, its fuel savings will become evident quickly following the purchase.
The city also installed a massive 25-stall charging station.
“This is our first major step toward converting city vehicles to more environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, and I’m proud of our Municipal Parking Department and Director Keith Hutchings for leading the way,” Mayor Mike Duggan said. “Electric vehicles are going to become the new standard everywhere, and we are going to support this transition in many ways.”
The city aims to convert all of its 3,000 vehicles to electric in the coming years, though a specific electrification plan has not been announced.
Municipalities around the country, much like Detroit, are looking to implement EVs, primarily within their fleet of police vehicles, which are often the best use case for electrification. Officers often drive a set duration and distance daily, are equipped with electronic equipment that needs to stay charged, and often sit for long sections of the day.
