Brooklyn Park Explores Role of Electric Vehicles in Creating a More Eco-Friendly Future
Brooklyn Park is taking steps toward a more sustainable future by exploring the role that electric vehicles (EVs) could play in the city.
The city is partnering with Excel Energy on a study that looks at the use of fleet vehicles, which includes police cars, fire trucks, operations and maintenance vehicles, and City Hall inspector vehicles.
According to Brooklyn Park Director of Operations and Maintenance, Dan Ruiz, the city has ordered three Chevy Bolts and three Chevy Silverados to be part of their fleet.
“We think it’s really important because of the benefits offered by electric vehicles such as zero emissions, cheaper operational costs, and just kind of a point of pride as well as setting a good example for the community,” Ruiz said.
The city has installed Geotab devices that will monitor the use of fifty of their vehicles throughout the city, with the goal of identifying which ones are the best candidates for conversion to electric vehicles.
The first of the fleet to be converted to EVs will be those used the most, such as utility locator and inspection vehicles.
New electric vehicle chargers may soon come to Brooklyn Park.
The City Hopes to Subsidize Costs with Government Grants
Brooklyn Park is also working with the government to install EV charging stations.
The city has applied for grants through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for charging stations at seven city facilities. Some of the charging stations will be for city vehicles only, while others will be for the general public.
The city is installing some EV charging stations at City Hall, as well as other high traffic areas, while waiting to hear about the grants.
The golf courses at Edinburgh and Brookland, as well as the community activity center, will also have EV charging stations.
The city currently offers the use of e-scooters to travel around the city.
More information on rental requirements can be found on the city’s website.
