When it’s time for the County to replace medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, like buses, and dump trucks, the County plans to transition to zero-emission vehicles.
The details were laid out in a draft Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Plan presented to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday by consultant Frontier Energy. Supervisors are expected to vote on a final plan in late June.
The move fits in with the Board’s objective to prepare for, adapt to and mitigate climate changes. It is also required by the California Air Resources Board’s Advanced Clean Fleets regulation, approved in April 2023, to reduce tailpipe emissions. Governor Gavin Newsom has made mitigating climate change a priority.
The County faces an estimated $10 million in additional vehicle replacement costs over 29 years to make the change from internal combustion engines (gas-powered) to zero emission vehicles.
However, that total could be reduced by grants, vouchers or tax credits County staff hope to pursue. In addition, the County is expected to have a projected fuel savings of $16.2 million.
The County is also planning to add about 159 charging stations at 16 locations; the cost of installing them was not included in the cost estimates.
Board of Supervisors Chair Hardy Bullock said he is excited about considering where to best place charging stations to spur economic development. “You organize charging as a way to organically generate business activity and circulation with businesses and areas of interest,” he said.
