Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Aspen City Council approved a contract with National Auto Fleet Group during Tuesday’s regular meeting. As outlined within a staff memo, the contract consists of one ¾ ton Ford Pickup, four ½ ton Ford F150 4×4 pickups, one 12 passenger Transit van 350 low, and one ¼ ton Ford Maverick AWD pickup.
According to the memo, the purchase is part of a State Bid process, which through the bid process awarded the National Auto Fleet Group a Transit van, ¼ ton Ford Maverick AWD pickup, ¾ ton pickup, and ½ ton pickups.
Based on operational parameters for the ½ ton pickups, staff has selected one hybrid model, and one will be a Lightning EV for this bid. The fleet vehicles are annually assessed as part of Aspen’s Fleet Program. The replacement program is a way of ensuring all city vehicles and equipment are reviewed on a periodic basis.
The current vehicles were placed on a seven-year/80,000-mile replacement cycle, which means many of the vehicles have started to or have already met and/or exceeded operations service life and are now in need of replacement due to higher maintenance costs.
Replacements within this year’s fleet include the Street Department’s 2012 Ford F-250 to be replaced by a similar ¾ Ford F-250; the Asset Department’s 2016 Ford Transit van to be replaced by a ½ ton pickup for easier use and more reliability throughout the year; the Recreation Department’s 2014 Chevy Express Van to be replaced with another 12-passenger van for basic transport.
Additional replacements scheduled are the Transportation Department’s 2012 Chevy Hybrid ½ ton pickup for another ½ ton hybrid pickup; the Parks Department’s 2002 ¾ Ford Pickup for ¾ ton with an Ford EV pickup; and lastly, the Water Department’s 2006 ½ ton Chevy Silverado for another ½ ton pickup, as well as their 2004 Ford Explorer for a ¼ ton Ford Maverick AWD pickup for capabilities of carrying small loads and equipment.
Each of the vehicles are said to be well beyond the seven-year/80,000-mile threshold, according to the city memo. All new proposed vehicles will also be placed on a seven-year/80,000-mile replacement cycle/review cycle, as well. Staff continues to look for marketplace alternatives while also working to create an environmental sustainability plan with the fleet program.
“Purchasing an EV Lightning and transitioning our fleet to hybrid vehicles continues to move us towards our efforts to support council climate action goals,” the memo states. “Staff will continue to explore what (EV) and hybrid options support operational needs while continuing to support our environmental sustainability plan.”
A total of $321,000 has been allocated for the replacement of seven vehicles within the 2024 Fleet Management, which is said to be supported by savings from previous replacements to supplement the necessary funding for replacement vehicles.
Savings collected from a prior replacement of the Loader Mounted Snow Blower from the AMP Fund ($15,220) will cover the additional funds needed for the Streets Department’s Ford F-250, Asset Department’s ½ ton pickup, and the Recreation Department’s 12-passenger van ($13,327).
The funds for the replacement of the Water Department Ford Ranger ($40,000) will be used to cover additional funds to purchase its ½ ton pickup ($3,437.36). The savings from the replacement of the Ford Fusion ($35,000) from the Transportation Fund will cover the additional required funds for its ½ ton Hybrid ($999.83).
The newly proposed vehicles will be equipped with 50 state emissions compliant, meaning that each vehicle meets both the federal emissions standards, as well as California emissions standards.
Electric vehicles offer several environmental benefits for reducing transportations sector emissions, as well as improving the overall local air quality. Aspen first adopted the Fleet Zero Emissions Road map at the end of 2022, which supports staff in identifying and overcoming barriers to electrification in support of Aspen’s climate goals.
“The City of Aspen continuously works to improve a sustainable fleet management strategy that aims to reduce environmental impacts through a combination of cleaner vehicles and fuels, fuel efficient operation, and driving,” the memo states.
To reach Jonson Kuhn, email him at jkuhn@aspentimes.com.
