City to purchase 5 hybrid vehicles
October 27, 2009
By J.B. Wogan
By J.B. Wogan
Expect to see five gas-electric cars with the city logo roving Sammamish streets soon.
The City Council approved the purchase of five Ford Escape Hybrids for a price tag of $155,893 Oct. 20.
Federal stimulus funding, stemming from the Energy Efficiency Block Grant, would account for $60,000 of the overall purchase.
The purchase comes after a consultant reviewed the city fleet and said five vehicles had too-high maintenance costs, according to Deputy City Manager Pete Butkus.
Four of those vehicles dated back to 1999, and one was from 2002.
Butkus said they would have to be replaced, regardless of whether the federal stimulus funding was available.
Mayor Don Gerend asked about purchasing vehicles that run on diesel fuel, as well as electric-only vehicles.
Butkus said diesel was not considered for this purchase.
He said that the consultant recommended the city purchase the Ford Escape Hybrids because it was a proven model.
“I wouldn’t advocate that you go with the first edition of software,” he said.
The Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District already owns one Ford Escape Hybrid. General Manager Ron Little said it’s one of three energy-efficient vehicles the district has purchased in recent years.
“We bought the hybrid to see how reliable it would be,” Little said. “It’s pretty clear that the hybrids save gas, particularly in an urban area.”
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
Expect to see five gas-electric cars with the city logo roving Sammamish streets soon.
The City Council approved the purchase of five Ford Escape Hybrids for a price tag of $155,893 Oct. 20.
Federal stimulus funding, stemming from the Energy Efficiency Block Grant, would account for $60,000 of the overall purchase.
The purchase comes after a consultant reviewed the city fleet and said five vehicles had too-high maintenance costs, according to Deputy City Manager Pete Butkus.
Four of those vehicles dated back to 1999, and one was from 2002.
Butkus said they would have to be replaced, regardless of whether the federal stimulus funding was available.
Mayor Don Gerend asked about purchasing vehicles that run on diesel fuel, as well as electric-only vehicles.
Butkus said diesel was not considered for this purchase.
He said that the consultant recommended the city purchase the Ford Escape Hybrids because it was a proven model.
“I wouldn’t advocate that you go with the first edition of software,” he said.
The Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District already owns one Ford Escape Hybrid. General Manager Ron Little said it’s one of three energy-efficient vehicles the district has purchased in recent years.
“We bought the hybrid to see how reliable it would be,” Little said. “It’s pretty clear that the hybrids save gas, particularly in an urban area.”
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com.
Other Stories of Interest: Sammamish Government
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