Elmhurst Pushed To Buy Electric Vehicles

Elmhurst IL

02 August, 2021

12:08 PM

Description

ELMHURST, IL — Three Elmhurst aldermen say they want a more aggressive plan to buy electric passenger vehicles for departments such as public works, police and fire. In a memo last week, Aldermen Brian Cahill, Jacob Hill and Chris Jensen contended such vehicles would save the city money. They acknowledged such vehicles are more expensive at first, but over five to seven years, the city would recoup the initial investment. The police, fire and public works departments should consider the "cleanest" option first when buying vehicles, they said. "Recent increases in the cost of fuel and a general move to the investment community away from fossil fuel production is potentially supportive of fuel prices going forward, which would further increase the savings from switching to alternative-fuel vehicles," the aldermen said in the memo. "(Electric vehicles) have lower operating costs as they do not require the regular maintenance and service that internal combustion engines do." Expanded electric and hybrid vehicle usage would likely mean the need for an expanded charging station infrastructure, which would benefit residents, out-of-town commuters and shoppers in downtown, the aldermen said. At Monday's City Council meeting, members are set to vote on the aldermen's request for a city committee to examine the issue.