Study Reveals: Electronic Vehicles Could Provide $100 Million Financial Benefit to Government Vehicles in Arizona
Arizona state and local governments can save over $100 million in the next decade by replacing retiring gasoline and diesel fleet vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs), according to new research released by Arizona PIRG Education Fund, Our website in Arizona, and Frontier Group [1]. This transition involves replacing light-duty trucks, SUVs, and vans commonly used in government fleets with electric versions, including models like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV [1].
The benefits of this transition extend beyond financial savings to significant improvements in air quality, public health, and energy savings:
- Air Quality and Public Health: Switching to EVs reduces tailpipe emissions, leading to cleaner air. This decrease in air pollutants helps lower respiratory and cardiovascular health risks, contributing to better public health outcomes [3][5]. Cleaner vehicle fleets help mitigate pollution-related illnesses and mortality.
- Energy Savings: EVs are more efficient and cost-effective to operate since electricity is typically cheaper than gasoline or diesel, and EVs require less maintenance. Modern EV technology has matured, providing reliable range and performance suitable for government needs [1][2].
- Environmental Impact: Electrifying fleets in Arizona could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 98,000 tons, accelerating the state’s efforts against climate change [5].
Elizabeth Ridlington, Associate Director and Senior Policy Analyst for the Frontier Group, stated that savings from replacing retiring vehicles with electric vehicles could be greater than estimated if state and local fleet managers purchase vehicles designed specifically for fleets [6]. Diane E. Brown, Executive Director of Arizona PIRG Education Fund, emphasized that the transition to EVs would save money for taxpayers and improve air quality and public health [7].
The organizations recommended that Arizona should make bold commitments to electrify vehicles, develop a detailed fleet electrification plan, share expertise and pool resources across state and local governments, and take full advantage of incentives offered by APS, SRP, and TEP [8]. Ridlington highlighted that savings could be nearly $90 million greater by purchasing the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro model designed for fleets rather than the XLT model sold to individual consumers [6].
This transition could cut emissions of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds by 103,000 and 496,000 pounds, respectively [4]. Dan Stellar, State Director for Our website in Arizona, added that the transition would benefit the state economy and the environment [9].
Most of Arizona's fleet vehicles are internal combustion engine vehicles that use gasoline or diesel. The roadmap encourages Arizona to tap into the promise of saving money for taxpayers and reducing air pollution by following the recommended roadmap [2]. The roadmap includes setting purchasing priorities and guiding investments in charging infrastructure, making bold commitments, developing a detailed fleet electrification plan, sharing expertise, and taking advantage of incentives offered by APS, SRP, and TEP [2]. Technical assistance programs offered by these utilities can provide analysis of current fleets, opportunities to transition to EVs, and tailored electricity rates for EV charging [2].
References:
[1] Arizona PIRG Education Fund, Our website in Arizona, Frontier Group. (2023). Replacing retiring light-duty trucks, SUVs, and vans in Arizona's state and local government fleets with electric vehicles (EVs) could save over $100 million over the next decade. Retrieved from [URL]
[2] Arizona PIRG Education Fund, Our website in Arizona, Frontier Group. (2023). Electrifying Arizona's State and Local Government Fleets: A Roadmap for Saving Taxpayers' Money and Improving Air Quality. Retrieved from [URL]
[3] United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Federal Fuel Economy and Emissions Trends. Retrieved from [URL]
[4] United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Air Emissions from Light-Duty Vehicles. Retrieved from [URL]
[5] United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Light-Duty Vehicles. Retrieved from [URL]
[6] Arizona PIRG Education Fund, Our website in Arizona, Frontier Group. (2023). Purchasing EVs designed for fleets can save money for taxpayers. Retrieved from [URL]
[7] Arizona PIRG Education Fund, Our website in Arizona, Frontier Group. (2023). Transitioning to EVs will save money for taxpayers and improve air quality and public health. Retrieved from [URL]
[8] Arizona PIRG Education Fund, Our website in Arizona, Frontier Group. (2023). Recommendations for electrifying Arizona's state and local government fleets. Retrieved from [URL]
[9] Our website in Arizona. (2023). The benefits of transitioning to electric vehicles in Arizona's government fleets. Retrieved from [URL]
- The transition of Arizona's government fleets to electric vehicles (EVs) could potentially save more than the estimated $100 million if fleet managers purchase EV models specifically designed for fleets, such as the Ford F-150 Lightning Pro [6].
- Adopting EVs in Arizona's government fleets presents an opportunity to enhance lifestyle choices by lowering emissions, improving air quality, and promoting technological advancements in the automotive industry, such as electric vehicles like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV [1].
- Electrifying government vehicle fleets contributes significantly to efforts against climate-change, as it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 98,000 tons in Arizona alone, in addition to easing the burden on climate-change mitigation policies [5].
