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Committee reviews 2026 fleet plan and EV purchase mandate; members flag operational limits
Summary
Staff presented a 2026 equipment plan that includes EV purchases to offset internal combustion replacements per a 2024 mandate; members raised concerns about EV suitability for heavy‑duty and high‑altitude operations and noted a CSDA‑backed bill to exempt emergency vehicles did not pass this year.
Staff showed a preliminary equipment plan that replaces high‑mileage or aged vehicles and includes EVs to comply with a 2024 rule requiring one EV for each internal combustion purchase.
A committee member summarized the mandate: “The requirement is for every internal combustion engine that you purchase, you have to purchase 1 EV.” Members questioned EV performance at altitude and for heavy‑duty uses; staff said the district planned a combination of combustion and EV purchases and had been tracking light‑duty EV performance (two Lightnings in fleet) while heavier vehicle exemptions remain challenging because of limited commercial availability.
Staff said the district supported legislation (CSDA‑sponsored) that would classify emergency‑response and certain utility vehicles as exempt, but that bill did not pass this year; staff expected it might reappear. The committee asked staff to continue monitoring technology and legislative developments and to return with equipment‑replacement timing to align with operational requirements.
