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Orland Park committee backs sole‑source purchase of battery electric Class 8 dump truck
Summary
The Committee of the Whole recommended the Village Board approve a sole‑source contract with CIT Trucks of Mokena for one Kenworth T88E battery electric Class 8 dump truck and charging equipment (not to exceed $721,740.15), with about 75% of the cost covered by the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust; trustees asked about range, warranty and maintenance before approving the motion by roll call.
The Village of Orland Park Committee of the Whole recommended that the Village Board waive competitive bidding and award a sole‑source contract to CIT Trucks of Mokena, Ill., to purchase one Kenworth T88E Class 8 battery electric dump truck and charging equipment for a not‑to‑exceed price of $721,740.15.
Joel (public works) told trustees the purchase replaces an aging utility truck used to haul digging equipment for water main breaks and that roughly 75% of the vehicle’s cost is funded by the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust. "This particular vehicle is actually funded with the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust… the grant funds 75% of the cost," Joel said.
Trustees pressed staff on operational details. Joel said the truck’s range is about 200 miles per charge and that the purchase includes a charging station to be installed in the public works building. Trustees asked whether the charging station could support additional vehicles in the future and whether in‑house mechanics would be trained to service the battery systems. Joel said staff would confirm charging‑station compatibility, battery warranty information and any training needs.
Trustees also discussed fleet replacement costs: Joel said an equivalent diesel replacement would typically be in the $300,000–$350,000 range but that the electric version is costlier because of battery systems. With the grant offset, the village’s share is substantially lower than the full purchase price.
Trustee Katsenes moved the recommendation; the motion received a second and passed on a roll call vote with all trustees recorded as Aye.
Next steps: the Committee will forward the recommendation to the Village Board for formal contract approval and execution. Staff said it will return with warranty and maintenance details and information on charging‑station compatibility.[NOTE: cost, fund source and range details are taken from staff remarks during the committee presentation and follow‑up trustee questions.]
