Greening initiatives are now the number-one concern for fleet managers in government organizations, and the Biden Administration’s Executive Order has many managers worried about what comes next regarding clean energy.
However, all-electric fleets have many benefits for fleet managers and their vehicles. Despite fears to the contrary, it’s more economical than ever for governments to make the EV switch.
Why EVs are disrupting local, state, and federal governments
Fleet managers at all levels of government are bracing for the future of all-electric fleets. There are three upcoming milestones to keep an eye on:
- EV production may increase dramatically by 2025. Approximately sixty-five new electric models are expected to reach the U.S. market within the next two years, creating new opportunities for fleet managers and their organizations while selecting light and heavy-duty vehicles.
- EVs must make up half of all vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2030. These point to increased tailwinds for EV adoption in public sectors, especially school and government organizations.
- The Biden Administration's Executive Order states that federal vehicles must be zero emission by 2035. Existing government fleets must be rightsized with EVs in order to meet set criteria within the next twelve years.
It’s true that EVs are disrupting government fleet management, which will only become more critical as time goes on. However, these disruptions are far more positive than negative, especially when you look at the many benefits that they bring to public fleet managers.
The positive impact of electric vehicle fleet management on government organizations
There’s no reason to fear the coming switch to EVs. In fact, it may benefit your organization far more than you may realize. Here are five positive impacts that can result from electric vehicle fleet management:
1. Costs are changing—in a good way
EVs were once considered an expensive luxury item. However, technological advances and new resource availability have made them more accessible than ever. Studies show that the purchase price of EVs may drop 50% by 2030. This enables fleets of any size to capitalize on EV acquisition without increasing their budgets.
2. Emissions are dropping—fast
Greenhouse gas emissions are a serious concern for cities across the country. However, the adoption of EVs can significantly reduce their rise. The average EV emits 50% less carbon dioxide per mile than traditional vehicles, increasing air quality while reducing environmental impacts on the community and public that you serve.
3. Expenses look different—and cheaper
While physical EVs are slowly getting cheaper, their overall cost of ownership is also dropping. Today, the total cost of ownership for an electric fleet is 25% less than a traditional fleet, putting less stress on organizational budgets racing to keep up with inflationary conditions.
4. Maintenance is unique—and getting easier
Traditional vehicles require far more maintenance than the average EV. According to reports, EVs cost up to $4,600 less than gas-powered vehicles when considering maintenance costs over the course of their lifetimes. Not only can this be a cost-saving measure for school and government entities, but it also ensures less time in the shop and more time out on the road.
5. Driving is quieter—and better for community health
EVs do produce noise, but they’re still far quieter than traditional vehicles (which can have levels up to 80 dB in heavy traffic). This results in less noise pollution near populated areas and creates quieter communities in traditionally noisy places like densely packed downtown streets.
How Sourcewell can help in the procurement of EVs
Government fleet managers should embrace rather than eschew the many benefits of EVs. While getting started may seem overwhelming at first, it’s not a process that you need to manage alone—cooperative contracts are always available to streamline the process.
Sourcewell and its many partners are available to help with EV procurement for your school or government entity. As a trustworthy source of cooperative contracts, it can help your organization find a competitive solution within your means. Here are just a few of the benefits of Sourcewell’s electric vehicle fleet management and procurement process:
- The cooperative contracts enable you to strategize EV procurement at a pace that meets your needs.
- You can quickly find accommodating vehicles, up fit to the right equipment, and acquire telematics that makes the most sense for your organization.
- If you’re part of a government or education entity in North America, you can browse and use hundreds of cooperative contracts from Sourcewell at no extra cost.
If you’re interested in learning more, becoming a participating Sourcewell agency is fast, easy, and free.
See how easy it is to get the EV fleet you need without the hassle using Sourcewell’s cooperative purchasing program. Streamline the public procurement process by choosing from hundreds of suppliers already on contract. Sourcewell’s procurement experts competitively solicit and award contracts on behalf of 50,000 participating agencies in North America. Sourcewell has been a government-empowering organization since 1978. Check out our contracts here.
