Spokane council approves city fleet electric vehicle purchases, accepts state grant for charging stations amid public skepticism

The Spokane City Council voted to approve purchases of electric vehicles for the city motor pool and to accept a Department of Ecology grant for 10 Level 2 charging stations.

Supporters said the purchases respond to a state push toward electrification for municipal fleets, while public commenters urged caution about grid reliability and called for alternative approaches. Councilmembers who voted for the items emphasized limits on where fully electric vehicles will be used.

City Council members approved the consent agenda that included the motor-pool vehicle purchases and later passed Ordinance C.36678 amending the biennial budget to accept the Ecology grant for charger installation. The consent vote passed 7-0.

Why it matters: the purchases and charging-station grant move Spokane toward electrifying portions of its fleet and expanding charging infrastructure. Speakers during…