Drafter
Clerk 09/26/2013
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A MOTION providing for review of the county's light duty vehicle utilization policy with regards to electric vehicles in the county fleet.
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WHEREAS, vehicles that are powered solely by electricity that is drawn from on-board batteries may offer the potential for efficient transportation in a way that significantly reduces the amount of transportation-derived generation of greenhouse gasses; and
WHEREAS, the county has shown leadership both in installing electric vehicle charging stations at strategic locations, and in acquiring significant numbers of electric vehicles in the county fleet for use by county employees, and
WHEREAS, the technology associated with those vehicles is a significant departure from the standard internal combustion engine technology, which results in a vehicle that presents a somewhat different operator control experience to drivers of such vehicles, and
WHEREAS, because the range of those vehicles between recharges is less than the typical range of internal combustion engine-powered vehicles, and because the availability of recharging station infrastructure is early in the developmental stage, without proper information and training some prospective drivers may be concerned about having sufficient battery charge to complete their trips, and
WHEREAS, the innovative nature of electric vehicles, and the potential concern of new electric vehicle drivers regarding the range of the vehicles between charges, may result in more limited utilization of those vehicles until users become more familiar with those vehicles, and until drivers are fully familiar with charging options, and
WHEREAS, the maintenance and repair experience of electric vehicles may also differ from conventional vehicles, potentially resulting in a differing useful vehicle life cycle, and
WHEREAS, county fleet operations with a significant proportion of the total numbers of vehicle trips associated with county business being provided by electric vehicles can represent an important contribution to reducing the total of county-operations-generated greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with the county's Strategic Climate Action Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The executive is requested to implement efforts to increase utilization and County acceptance of alternative fuel technology vehicles through:
1. Implementing strategies and actions to increase drivers' use and understanding of alternative fuel technology vehicles ,which may include outreach, training, website information, vehicle deployment strategies or other elements; and
2. Developing an update to the 2009 Light Duty Vehicle Utilization Policy that includes an evaluation period for categories of vehicles with alternative fuel technologies. This evaluation period is intended to address the range of considerations that may be encountered as alternative fuel technologies are introduced into the county fleet. The elements that may be addressed solely for this evaluation period include but are not limited to the following:
a. the level of acceptance and use of alternative fuel technologies by fleet vehicle users;
b. The maintenance and repair experience of vehicles utilizing alternative fuel technologies;
c. alternative standards regarding utilization of such vehicles during and after an introductory period;
d. alternative standards regarding the life cycle of vehicles utilizing alternative fuel technologies;
e. cost implications of increased utilization of electric vehicles, including early differentials in maintenance and repair costs for alternative fuel technology vehicles compared to conventional vehicles, as well as projected battery replacement costs;
f. estimates of differentials in fueling costs;
g. estimated utilization levels of alternative fuel technology vehicles; and
h. other appropriate cost parameters
B.1. By March 31, 2014, the executive is requested to transmit a motion providing for acknowledgement of the transmittal of a report that includes:
a. the description of the strategies and actions implemented and their results through January 2014 in response to subsection A.1. of this motion; and
b. the proposed update to the 2009 Light Duty Vehicle Utilization Policy and any supporting materials, including data.
2. The report, together with the motion providing for acknowledgement of the transmittal of the report, should be filed with the clerk of the council by March 31, 2014, who shall retain the original and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers and the lead staff of the transportation, economy and environment committee or its successor.