Transportation committee approves Ford F‑350 purchases; staff to pursue hybrids when feasible

The DuPage County Transportation Committee approved purchases of Ford F‑350 crew cab trucks and discussed pursuing hybrid or electric alternatives when available and cost‑effective.

The committee voted to approve a purchase order to Sutton Ford for one Ford F‑350 crew cab for the Division of Transportation fleet, for a contract total not to exceed $79,551.40, and a second purchase order for two Ford F‑350 crew cabs for a contract total not to exceed $149,272.80. The purchases were described as being made pursuant to the Governmental Joint Purchasing Act and through a suburban purchasing cooperative contract.

The matter drew questions from committee members about whether the county is pursuing hybrid or electric vehicles. “I'm not a hundred percent sure the availability of hybrids in certain types of vehicles,” said Mike (staff member). “These types of vehicles are typically gonna be diesel engines and … they’re not available as hybrid.”

Nick (transportation staff member) told the committee the vehicles were approved in the last budget cycle and that staff will contact departments in the coming weeks to identify opportunities to buy hybrid or electric vehicles where models exist. “We’re gonna be reaching out to departments this month, in the next couple of weeks, actually. And any vehicles that are available for hybrid or electric vehicles, and we're gonna work [with] the departments to try and make sure that we can purchase those,” Nick said.

Commander Adams asked whether Ford F‑350s are offered as hybrid models; a speaker answered, “They do not. It's either electric or gas,” and committee members discussed that some smaller Ford models (referenced as the Lightning) are electric but that heavy‑duty trucks commonly used by the division are typically diesel or gas and lack hybrid options.

Staff also told the committee that availability and higher upfront cost have limited hybrid purchases. “A lot of the functions we have, they don't have hybrids. … The thing that has made it difficult for hybrids has been availability, 1, and then the cost has been substantially more,” a staff member said. Staff noted they evaluate fuel‑savings payback in procurement comparisons and look at electrification options when feasible.

No amendment or change to the approved contracts was recorded during the meeting; the motions to approve the purchase orders passed on voice vote.

The committee combined several purchasing items for consideration and approved the vehicle purchase motions as part of that consolidated vote. The contracts are scheduled to cover periods referenced in the purchase language presented to the committee.