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Public Works warns EV rules collide with San Francisco’s steep hills and aging fleet
Summary
Public Works’ fleet manager told the Sanitation and Streets Commission that state and local rules requiring zero‑emission purchases are straining an aging, customized municipal fleet: many electric models fail on steep streets, procurement lead times are years long, and charging infrastructure and credit allocation remain unresolved.
John Leal, heavy equipment operations supervisor, told the Sanitation and Streets Commission on Oct. 20 that statewide and local rules are forcing major changes to the city’s vehicle acquisitions but that technical, procurement and infrastructure barriers remain.
Leal said California Air Resources Board rules and a Board of Supervisors clean‑air requirement now require the city to buy zero‑emission vehicles for many new purchases: "starting January 2027 we'll have to purchase all electric vehicles 100%." He warned that some electric replacements tested so far cannot operate safely on San Francisco hills: "We have tested a lot of sweepers and they won't make it up the hills — they make it up the hill but they won't stop and start…
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