City Adds Electric Car to Fleet in 2008: The City of Olympia received $11,000 from the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) to purchase its first electric vehicle. This is the second time ORCAA has partnered with Olympia to improve the air quality in our region. Last year ORCAA awarded a grant to the City of Olympia to install catalytic converters on all heavy-duty construction equipment.

Our Commitment to Sustainability:  This purchase reflects the City’s commitment to look for innovative ways to lower emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuel. Dave Seavey, Fleet Operations Supervisor relays, "Electric vehicles are considered zero-emission vehicles because their motors produce no exhaust or emissions. The amount of emissions generated from electricity production to recharge the electric car is far less than the amount of emissions that would be produced if we used a gasoline-powered vehicle."

How the Car is Powered: Electric vehicles are powered by a battery that is replenished by plugging it into a common electric outlet.  A significant portion of the electric production in the Pacific Northwest comes from a variety of renewable sources, further reducing the impact of the vehicle.

Cost of Operating the Car:  It is estimated it will cost approxiately one cent a mile to operate the car.  The battery takes 4 hours to charge, with one charge taking the vehicle approximately 50 miles.

How the Vehicle will be Used: Ruth, a City Inspector, will be using the new vehicle for her work in the downtown area and South Capital neighborhood. Keith Stahley, Director of Community Planning and Development Department points out that, “Vehicles that idle or do a lot of starting and stopping produce the greatest amount of emissions. Ruth’s work is a perfect application for an electric vehicle because the distance to and from the office is relatively short and she does a lot of short trips. Now she will be a making difference, in that the electric vehicle will be reducing emissions.” Olympia is plugged into sustainability. Making a difference – one car at a time.