New Bedford Leases Ten Electric Cars For City Fleet

The City of New Bedford is replacing ten, 20-year old passenger vehicles with new electric cars.

The new Nissan Leafs were on display Thursday outside City Hall.

New Bedford is leasing the electric cars for three years, at a fraction of what it might cost for leasing conventional vehicles. Chief Financial Officer Ari Sky says the city got a real deal. "We're looking to replace ten vehicles and you'd probably have to spend about $200,000 or a little more, but the combination of state grant funding, rebates and federal incentives has allowed the city to lease these vehicles for about $26,000 said Sky."

The new electric cars are being assigned to the city's Health Department. Health Director Brenda Weiss says the cars are "really cool" to drive, but there's a serious side as well.  "These vehicles help us become better stewards of the environment, and helps us promote the health and well being of our residents."

The electric cars will achieve an equivalent of 126 miles per gallon on city roads. The City also received seven new electric chargers as part of the deal.