Fountain Valley council approves purchase of electric Ford E-Transit work van

Christine Smith, senior management analyst for the city, presented an administrative purchase request to replace a 2001 diesel government buildings truck with a 2023 Ford E-Transit electric cargo van equipped with a 38-foot aerial ladder at a quoted price of $151,837.16. Smith said the vehicle is available immediately from Rush Truck Centers through a Sourcewell cooperative contract and recommended waiving bidding under city code and authorizing the purchase.

Smith told the council that the city's Fleet Management Fund budgeted $1,618,000 for 11 field-service vehicle replacements and that supply-chain lags had pushed many replacements into future years, but that there was sufficient funding to proceed this fiscal year. She said AB276 AQMD subvention funds would provide $55,335 toward the purchase and staff had coordinated with environmental services and finance on the funding split.

Councilmembers asked how the AQMD funds were applied; Smith said the AQMD contribution covered the ‘‘core’’ electric vehicle portion because ladder and specialty equipment do not reduce emissions. Members praised the move to a zero-emission work vehicle, noted that the van does not require a commercial driver's license, and moved the item. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

The council authorized staff to issue a purchase order to Rush Truck Centers and to dispose of the existing vehicle using methods that best meet the city's needs.