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Larimer County taps National Laboratory of the Rockies for fleet electrification analysis
Summary
County staff said a pro bono fleet analysis from the National Laboratory of the Rockies will produce department‑level comparisons and lifecycle cost estimates to guide electric vehicle purchases; staff reported six fully electric and 26 hybrid light‑duty vehicles in the fleet.
Larimer County staff told commissioners on July 13 that the county is working with the National Laboratory of the Rockies (a technical assistance partner) to analyze fleet data and inform future electrification decisions.
"They provide free technical assistance — about 40 to 60 hours — to look at our fleet data," Abby Stapleton said. The county supplied mileage, location and vehicle‑type data so the lab can produce tailored slides showing which departmental vehicles could be replaced with electric alternatives and the projected lifecycle cost savings over a typical seven‑year vehicle life.
Heidi Vilhauer, director of fleet services, said maintenance demands for the EVs added so far have been low and anecdotal user feedback has been positive; she noted that certain specialized units, such as many sheriff vehicles, still require idling or onboard power for equipment and that operational constraints will factor into electrification choices.
Stapleton said the county now has six fully electric and 26 hybrid light‑duty vehicles (about 9% of its light‑duty fleet versus a 4% baseline in 2021) and hopes to add two more EVs in 2026 to maintain a 1.5 percentage‑point annual increase toward fleet electrification targets. The lab’s forthcoming department slides will be used in conversations with major fleet users, including the sheriff’s office.
