Historically, public fleets have prioritized vehicle purchasing over leasing. This may be due to the variety of misconceptions surrounding leasing, including the belief that leases cost more due to high interest rates and concerns over return conditions and mileage restrictions. As a result, fleet managers have lacked low-cost options to maintain a fleet of vehicles that are reliable and low maintenance. In fact, leasing is one of the best avenues for public fleets to incorporate new assets, especially EVs, into their fleet. Fleet managers can achieve significant financial savings by utilizing operating budgets and understanding total cost of ownership.

This case study examines the factors leading to the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan’s adoption of 20 electric vehicles and the historic passage of their A2Zero Carbon Neutrality plan. Through the Collaborative’s resources, Ann Arbor city staff were able to identify suitable fleet vehicles for replacement, connect with other municipalities for development of an EV-Ready ordinance, and gather transit electrification research that contributed to the unanimous adoption of the Carbon Neutrality Plan.

One of the 19 founding Collaborative fleets, Texas’ capital city, Austin, has long been considered on the leading edge of American culture and technology. The City has a reputation for open-mindedness and inclusivity and has seen an 80% increase in population over the last 20 years. As the fastest growing large city in the United States in 2015 and 2016 and home to a number of Fortune 500 companies, the Austin metro area has seen its population expand to nearly 2.3 million residents. The City has been challenged in recent years to manage this significant growth but has risen to the occasion by doubling down on improving livability and prioritizing culture.

This case study examines the factors precipitating the City of Binghamton, New York’s, purchase of two all-electric fleet vehicles, a first for the municipality. Binghamton was also the first city to complete its EV procurement through the Collaborative, spearheading a growing cohort of municipalities across the United States that are demonstrating their commitment to emissions reductions and advanced transportation by utilizing the Collaborative’s convenient procurement solution.

The City of Charlotte has taken a truly holistic approach to EV fleet transition. A combination of ambitious, forward-thinking City leadership and unique cross departmental teamwork has come together to put the City on track to achieve its goal for the City fleet and facilities to be fueled by 100% zero-carbon sources by 2030. City staff convened this cross departmental team with support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies American Cities Climate Challenge (of which Charlotte is one of 25 participating cities), utilizing the resources of the Collaborative to tackle the City’s new EV deployment goals. As a participant in both the Climate Challenge and the Collaborative, the City has been able to leverage support from both programs to advance their goals.

In 2018, the Chula Vista City Council voted to acquire thirty-four new fleet vehicles, including fourteen battery electric vehicles and twenty plug-in hybrid models to replace aging, gasoline-powered cars and trucks that are less reliable and cost more to maintain. These EVs are among the first to be purchased through the Collaborative. This case study examines the motivations behind the City’s decision to electrify its fleet with the help of the Climate Mayors EV Purchasing Collaborative.

This case study examines the factors leading up to the City of Cincinnati, Ohio’s purchase of three all-electric fleet vehicles, two Nissan LEAFs and one Chevrolet Bolt. The purchase comes as part of the city’s aim to reduce overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 2006 levels by 2050. Using both the Collaborative’s competitive prices on suitable vehicles through Sourcewell and access to a network of policy and technical expertise through the EC, the city has committed to purchasing 20 EVs this year.

This case study examines the factors leading to the City of Winter Park, Florida’s purchase of five all-electric fleet vehicles to be used by the City’s building inspectors. Utilizing the Collaborative’s competitive leasing prices on 2020 Nissan LEAFs, the City saved $6,000 over the Florida state contract and has budgeted for five new Level 2 charging stations to be installed on City-owned property.