Flipping the Switch - Partnership helping procurement officials go electric

Flipping the Switch

Partnership helping procurement officials go electric

Procurement officials just like you are in the driver’s seat to make great things happen.

Sourcewell is proud to partner with CAPPO to help you find the services and solutions you need throughout this journey.

Partnerships are in our DNA because together we can do much more. In fact, Sourcewell has partnered with the Climate Mayor’s Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative and the Electrification Coalition to bring electric vehicles to public fleets throughout the country.

The United States has the third-largest electric vehicle market in the world, and more than $125 billion in new EV investments in the US market were announced in 2020.

So why are so many fleet managers reluctant to flip the switch to electric?

Change can be difficult and can be one the biggest obstacles in making the commitment to switching a fleet to electric. With insight from industry partners, some of the myths surrounding electric vehicles get busted.

MYTH: There’s no way my city/county/community will buy-in to purchasing EVs.

FACT: Many fleets that have deployed EVs have used the transition as a positive marketing opportunity. With the many benefits that come from driving electric – from cost and fuel savings to environmental benefits – there are many positive messages a public agency can promote.

Some cities have wrapped their EVs to highlight these positive messages, and some have worked with their internal marketing teams to promote the vehicles in a positive light.

MYTH: Our maintenance teams will have to learn all new skills.

FACT: The learning curve may not be as steep as you’d expect. Much of the maintenance on an EV is what your fleet staff already does, including tire rotations, wiper replacement, changing out air filters, etc.

Gone are the days of oil changes. With EVs, you’ll actually save money down the road by having fewer moving parts susceptible to breaking down, meaning less out-of-service time. And standard battery warranties on an EV are 8-10 years – often times longer than many public fleets own vehicles.

Staff should be trained on the range of EVs, faster acceleration, regenerative braking, and charging. Training on maintaining EVs is often available through vehicle manufacturers (OEM) and can be arranged locally through their dealership networks.

MYTH: EVs cost too much. 

FACT: Consumers and fleets can save thousands of dollars over the life of an EV, but higher upfront costs can be a barrier. However, funding and financing for EVs and charging infrastructure can come from a variety of sources, including federal, state, and local government agencies; utilities; legal settlements; carbon market revenues; future operational savings; and monetization of vehicle-to-grid capabilities.

Many models of EVs and infrastructure have lower total lifetime costs of ownership than conventional options, with consumers typically saving $6,000 to $10,000 over the life of a vehicle.

With incentives and tax credit, the actual cost to purchase an EV can be less than a fossil fuel or hybrid run vehicle.

Leasing allows public entities to achieve savings from federal tax credits that they otherwise would not have the tax burden for.

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For more myth busting and helpful resources for electrifying your fleet, download our free guide at sourcewell.co/EVGuide.