In its biggest electric vehicle purchase yet, California’s Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is seeking to electrify its entire fleet.
With 1,200 vehicles in its fleet—the majority being ICEs—Caltrans has ordered 399 Tesla Model 3 electric sedans. These new additions will bring the number of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles up to 80.
Caltrans operates 54 Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEVs, 15 Chevrolet Bolt EVs, 11 Nissan Leafs and one Ford F-150 Lightning. The agency also has 37 zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell Toyota Mirai and one hydrogen-powered sweeper in its fleet.
A Caltrans spokesperson recently announced that Tesla received an order from the US government for 399 electric vehicles, worth over $18 million. This is the largest known order of EVs from a federal or state department in America. The representative also confirmed that all ordered vehicles are base Model 3s with rear-wheel drive.
Until now, the largest known deal was New York City’s purchase of up to 250 Model 3 sedans for NYPD announced last year. However, that agreement saw the vehicles being ordered over five years.
By comparison, Caltrans has already accepted delivery of 236 Tesla Model 3 sedans, with the remaining 163 units due by January 1, 2023. Upon receiving all 399 Model 3s, 43 percent of its fleet will be all-electric vehicles.
Out of all the electric vehicles authorized for purchase by California’s Department of General Services, the Model 3 RWD offers the best value to taxpayers, Drive Tesla Canada was told by the state’s Department of Transportation.
The criteria for selection included safety ratings, driving range, resale value, and powertrain warranty. In addition, Caltrans said that the Model 3’s low fuel and maintenance costs will save both time and money as the vehicles spend more time on the road inspecting and managing California’s transportation system.
Funding for the acquisition came from the most recent California Spending Plan, which earmarked $176 million for each of the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 fiscal years for Caltrans to replace its aging gas-powered fleet with zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). The funding also includes installing the necessary charging infrastructure to support the fleet.
Source: Caltrans via Drive Tesla Canada