Committee reviews plan to use SVCE grant to buy two electric fleet vehicles

Town staff presented a plan to use a Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) grant to replace two of the town’s oldest gasoline-engine fleet vehicles with electric models, telling the Environmental & Innovation Committee that the funding and the town’s replacement policy make the purchase timely.

The staff member leading the presentation said the vehicles under consideration have surpassed the town’s 13‑year replacement threshold and that the grant provides “about $172,000 for both of the vehicles in the grant.” The presentation listed candidate vehicles — including Chevy Silverado, Rivian and others — and noted trade-offs among cost, bed size and local service networks.

Why it matters: The committee must balance climate goals and local operational needs. Committee members pressed staff on whether EVs would be future-proof for vehicle-to‑building or vehicle-to‑grid (B2G) power and how the fleet would function during prolonged outages.

Staff described options for disposing of replaced vehicles — a public auction via Public Surplus or donation to a local nonprofit such as Hidden Villa for lower-value units — and said upfitting for emergency lights and other equipment would add to acquisition costs. “There are some incentives on the Ford right now,” the staff member said, and cautioned that upfitting and specialized equipment typically add “$5,000–$10,000” per vehicle in labor and hardware.

Committee members and staff debated vehicle types and service networks. One committee member warned against buying version‑one products from startups with limited local service, while another noted that vehicles parked overnight at the town yard would not need extensive range. Staff said e‑Transit vans have a shorter range — approximately 90 miles in example models — but that low daily mileage for town work made that acceptable for many tasks.

Backup power and operational continuity also drew questions. Committee members asked how the town would keep critical tools and equipment running during extended outages; staff said diesel trucks and a trailer battery could provide temporary service, and that the town’s recently purchased utility diesel vehicles could be used if needed.

On procurement, staff said dealership experience with government sales varies, and availability will likely drive timing. Staff proposed preparing a council report in April and recommended either bringing a purchase to council or authorizing the city manager to enter quick contracts so the town can buy vehicles as they become available.

What’s next: Staff expects to bring a staff report and council authorization options in April. The committee offered feedback on preferred vehicle classes (truck with a bed preferred by some) and urged staff to weigh service support, upfitting costs and operational continuity when finalizing recommendations.