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With Georgia vying to become the nation’s e-mobility capital, the state may be about to embark on an initiative aimed at increasing the number of electric vehicles traveling Georgia streets and highways.
State Rep. Becky Evans, D-Atlanta, is planning to introduce legislation during the upcoming General Assembly session to incentivize state and local government agencies to convert the light-duty portions of their vehicle fleets to EVs.
Georgia taxpayers could save an estimated $312 million during the next decade by replacing 30,000 government fleet vehicles powered by gasoline and other motor fuels with electric vehicles, said Jennette Gayer, executive director of Environment Georgia.
Evans’ bill, which has yet to be drafted, would either require or encourage state and local agencies to switch to EVs whenever possible. The measure is aimed primarily at the cars agency employees use to get around the areas they serve rather than the heavier trucks that primarily use diesel fuel, she said.
The bill is modeled after a new law in Virginia requiring state agencies to consider a vehicle’s lifetime cost rather than just the sticker price when making purchases for their fleets.
“Electric vehicles are more expensive up front, but the maintenance costs are less … especially for people who drive 15 to 80 miles a day and bring back the car at night,” Evans said.
DeKalb County already is all-in with EVs. Robert Gordon, manager of DeKalb’s vehicle fleet, said the county currently owns 37 electric vehicles and has 85 more on order for delivery by the end of the year.
“You cannot beat these vehicles. They work fine,” he said. “They’re here to stay.”
Studies conducted in other states have concluded government fleets switching to EVs would…
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