On Monday, January 29, 2024, Jefferson County marked the inaugural launch of its new electric vehicle (EV) pilot program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH). The program, which is a joint effort between the county’s Sustainability Program (Facilities Management), Fleet Division, and Innovation Program (BIT), is set to introduce the first fully electric, zero-emissions vehicles to the county’s fleet.
The move towards electric vehicles is a centerpiece of the county’s Climate Action Plan, as it is anticipated to have substantial climate change mitigation benefits along with the elimination of tailpipe pollutant emissions, which adversely affect both human health and the environment. In the first operational year, the project is expected to prevent 7.5 metric tons of CO2 emissions and save approximately $2,750 in fuel costs.
The necessary EV charging stations for this initiative have been funded through a grant from the Colorado Energy Office’s Charge Ahead Colorado grant program. Moreover, the energy to power these vehicles, supplied by Xcel Energy, is currently 42% carbon-free. This percentage is projected to increase to 80% carbon-free by 2030.
Six 2023 Hyundai Ioniqs have been selected for this program. These vehicles are among the latest electric models on the market, and are favored for their combination of competitive pricing, reliability, quick charging speed, and impressive driving range.