During a recent government meeting, city officials discussed the ongoing transition to electric vehicles, specifically focusing on the current contract for vehicle services and the implications of switching to Tesla models. The meeting, which was primarily a presentation without any action items, allowed commissioners to pose questions regarding the operational aspects of the vehicle fleet.

One key topic was the current contract, which stipulates the number of vehicles available for specific hours. Commissioners inquired whether the charging time for these vehicles is included in the operational hours. The city attorney clarified that while vehicles are scheduled for specific hours on the road, they are not counted as operational when charging. This means that if a vehicle is charging and not ready for use, it does not contribute to the total hours of service provided.

Concerns were raised about the number of vehicles parked at the Warren Webster building, especially with the introduction of larger vehicles. Officials assured that the fleet would be relocating to the city hall parking lot, where new charging stations will be installed, alleviating congestion at the current site.

Another significant point of discussion was the cost of charging the vehicles. While it was suggested that the city might be covering the electricity costs for charging, the exact arrangement was not confirmed during the meeting. The conversation also touched on the number of vehicles currently in operation under the contract, which includes four primary vehicles, with additional units available to ensure continuous service.

The meeting highlighted the city's commitment to transitioning to electric vehicles, with a focus on the advantages of using Tesla models over other electric vehicles, such as GEM cars. Officials noted that Tesla's mass production capabilities allow for lower costs compared to smaller manufacturers, which struggle to compete on price.

As the city moves forward with its electric vehicle initiative, officials emphasized the importance of safety data related to vehicle performance and incidents, indicating that further analysis would be necessary before making any final decisions on the fleet's composition.