Maitland goes electric, adds Chevy Volt to fleet

Maitland is greening up its public works’ department next year, with the City Council voting to add an electric hybrid Chevy Volt to its fleet last week.

The 2013 Volt will be the city’s first foray into utilizing alternative energy sources.

Public Works Director Rick Lemke said the $35,895 electric-operated vehicle will save the city roughly $14,000 in gas and maintenance over its estimated 10-year life span.

“It gives us the opportunity to enter the green world,” Lemke said, adding that this purchase opens the door to the city adding additional electric vehicles in the future, if the Volt is found to perform well.

At the Council’s urging, Lemke sought out bids from local Chevrolet dealers and received the lowest bid from Starling Chevrolet in Kissimmee, which offered the city a purchase price $4,000 below originally budgeted estimates.

“This is a win-win situation where we can do the right thing environmentally, and the right thing by the city’s pocket book by saving us lot of money,” said Councilman John Lowndes, a proudly proclaimed longtime driver of a Toyota Prius hybrid.

Councilman Ivan Valdez said he was still hesitant to declare electric cars a real win looking toward the future, but applauded city staff for their continued forward-thinking. After a vote to purchase the car was tabled at Valdes’ suggestion for more discussion in October, the Council plugged in a unanimous vote to approve the car’s purchase Nov. 25.

Since that meeting, the Public Works department said the vehicle has been ordered, and can be expected to hit city streets in four to six weeks.

“This is not a risk; it’s a deal that’s going to save us a lot of money,” Lowndes said. “Every time you drive past a gas station, just smile and wave.”