Council adopts zero-emissions vehicle procurement policy to pursue grant opportunities

The Newburyport City Council voted to adopt an amended zero-emissions vehicle procurement policy (Order 821) at the June 1 meeting. The policy asks department heads to set technical requirements when procuring new vehicles and to evaluate life-cycle costs — including purchase price, expected fuel costs, and grant availability — as part of their decision-making.

Sponsors worked with the state Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and outside counsel (Anderson & Krieger) to refine language; counsel’s edits were described as primarily scrivener’s or clarifying adjustments. The policy includes an exhibit listing representative vehicle types; council discussion noted the exhibit was illustrative (the exact count of example vehicles was described as 13–14 and not definitive).

Sustainability staff said current local electric-vehicle charging capacity is limited: “We have 8 charging heads, 4 stations,” the sustainability manager stated, and staff said conduit and preliminary planning exist to add charging in key public locations. Council sponsors emphasized the policy’s goal of qualifying the city for Climate Leader grant opportunities, estimating eligibility could unlock up to $1 million for charging infrastructure.

Councilors asked about charging infrastructure, exemptions for heavy-duty or emergency vehicles, and how the policy would be applied across departments; sponsors emphasized that department heads would set vehicle technical requirements and procurement would apply the policy in context. The council approved the as-amended policy and directed staff to finalize non-substantive edits.

What’s next: staff will coordinate implementation details, update any exhibits as needed, and pursue eligibility for related grant funding.