To replace older combustion-powered fleet vehicles, the US Department of Transportation has provided $10.1 million in federal grants to New York City, which will be used on new electric vehicles.
Among the new additions are seven 496-hp Mack LR BEV garbage trucks and 25 plug-in hybrid street sweepers, with more vehicles to be added to the New York circuit.
The largest of the Limón electric vehicles, the Chevrolet Bolt will be the most common vehicle, with 380 models arriving in the city. Ford E-Transit van adds 360 units, adding to fleet of 150 F-150 Lightning electric vans.
In addition to purchasing new EVs for government fleets, the federal grant mentioned at the outset will also be used to increase the number of charging points fleet vehicles can access.
These new EVs bring New York City one step closer to achieving its goal of a completely carbon-free fleet by 2035.
2035 is significant for the city’s clean mobility plans, as it is when the sale of all new combustion cars is expected to become illegal.
New York State announced its intentions to do so in September 2021. After California adopted the Clean Car Act II in August 2022, New York reaffirmed its goals of zero tailpipe emissions by the middle of next decade.
charging points
Around 1,300 charging points for fleet vehicles are currently open, with another 600 expected to be added over the next 18 months. The federal grant money will add another 315 units.
Recently, New York has gotten stricter than ever about what combustion cars can get away with. In 2021, New York began issuing tickets to drivers for exceeding noise limits.
Last year, Manhattan State Senator Brad Hoylman proposed a new bill in which he proposed that some new vehicles be equipped with speed limiters.
According to the American Lung Association, New York is the 14th largest city in the United States for ozone pollution.
With the right sources of power generation, adding more electric vehicles to the city and state will help minimize damage.
