Idea #321 -- New Vehicle Purchasing Policy to move to electric vehicles

Idea #321 – New Vehicle Purchasing Policy to move to electric vehicles

Report Status: Fully Reviewed

Researched by: Norma Massarotti

Original Idea as Submitted

Propose to the Select Board and the Capital Management committee of the Town to adopt (with TMM voting support) a new vehicle purchasing policy applicable across the Town's fleet that all new vehicles (whether cars, trucks, vans, etc.) scheduled to be purchased shall be EVs, unless either (1) functionally the EV alternative does not satisfy the needs and demands of the proposed use and application of the fleet vehicle or (2) the EV is significantly more expensive (as a lifecycle cost analysis demonstrates, not just the purchase price) than the non-EV alternative.

Background Information

The Town of Belmont Energy Committee is writing a policy to specifically guide the transition of Belmont’s fleet to electric vehicles.

As part of Idea #54 Fleet Management, the SCIG recommends that Belmont improve its fleet management through the writing, implementation, and enforcement of policies/procedures that guide its management from purchase, use, maintenance/repair, and resale/retirement. These policies/procedures should be contained in a manual and adopted to ensure that the Town of Belmont’s vehicles are managed in an efficient, economical, and safe fashion, consistent with policy. The State of Massachusetts’ policy manual can be a starting point for Belmont to draft and write its policies and procedures. Additionally, policies, for example this one drafted by the Energy Committee pertaining to the transition of Belmont’s fleet to electric vehicles can sit or be referenced in the Fleet Management Policy and Procedures Manual.

Recommendations and Next Steps

No specific action required by SCIG on electric vehicle policy recommendation as Energy Committee is writing policy for guidelines to transition to electric vehicles.

Along with the financial savings, implementing this idea helps the Town achieve the Climate Action Roadmap, which was adopted by a vote of Town Meeting.

Policy and Procedures manual to be written by Town to guide management of Belmont’s fleet should include or reference the Energy Committee’s policy to guide transition to electric vehicles.