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City moves to fund electric‑vehicle training for fleet technicians as Denver expands EV purchases
Summary
City staff requested training to upskill fleet technicians for high‑voltage EV maintenance, to avoid sending vehicles to external shops and to support Denver’s goal of a fully electrified fleet; the committee approved advancing the contract by voice consent.
City staff told the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Nov. 19 that Denver must train its fleet technicians to safely maintain increasing numbers of electric vehicles as the city expands EV purchases.
Ken Arellano of the Office of Climate Action, Stability and Resiliency said the contract under consideration follows an RFP for an electric‑vehicle training provider and aims to assess training needs across city agencies, certify technicians in high‑voltage safety and deliver a tiered curriculum so technicians at all skill levels can work safely. "In the future, we should be at 100%," Arellano said, describing Denver’s fleet‑electrification target.
Staff said the training would be delivered at designated city sites — Denver Police Department, Denver Fire, Denver Parks and Recreation, DPR and DOTTI facilities — and that a fleet analysis will identify which technicians need advanced training, minimizing the need for new hires. James Warren, senior sustainable mobility policy adviser, said the city’s fleet is about "3,300 vehicles." Presenters said the training goal is to reach "100% trained in high voltage safety and the maintenance of electric vehicles." Training, they said, will reduce off‑site repairs, keep vehicles in service longer and reduce repair costs.
Councilmember questions focused on where training will occur, whether additional staff will be needed and how the curriculum would be tiered. DOTTI staff and the presenters said the program uses a tiered approach that upskills current technicians where possible and limits new hiring unless the subsequent fleet analysis shows gaps.
Councilman Hines moved to advance the EV training contract and Councilwoman Alvidrez seconded; the chair confirmed the item could proceed without a roll call and the committee advanced the item by voice consent.
Staff said the program supports Denver’s stated long‑term carbon target and is designed to retain experienced technicians by offering new skill pathways.
