Department of Homeland Security Adds Ford Mustang Mach-E To Fleet
Photo credit: Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) became the first federal agency to debut a battery electric vehicle (EV) fitted for performing law enforcement functions at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers’ Office of Cheltenham Operations.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is the first of a variety of EVs DHS plans to field across its varied law enforcement missions throughout the homeland.
“DHS is leading the charge among federal agencies to transition its fleet vehicles from internal combustion engines to zero-emission electric vehicles. As the Nation’s third largest federal agency and largest law enforcement agency, DHS has an inventory of more than 50,000 vehicles, with law enforcement vehicles making up 60 percent of its fleet,” said Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security John Tien. “DHS is proud to be the first Federal agency to upfit a battery electric vehicle for law enforcement use. As we ramp up EV adoption, we are excited to see how this and other EVs perform for our mission.”
Buttigieg Explains to Texans Why They Should Buy Electric Vehicles
During a keynote address at the Texas Tribune Festival, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg contended that the Lone Star State could save money by buying electric cars to bypass prices at the pump.
“Some of the best use cases for electric vehicles are in places like Texas,” Buttigieg said, “places where people spend more time in their vehicles, where you drive longer distances than in a dense coastal city and therefore spend more money on gas and therefore would save more money — provided you can afford an electric vehicle, which is why we’re fighting to make electric vehicles cheaper.”
Buttigieg added that the nation should invest more heavily in alternate modes of transportation. “Cars will always play an important role in our lives, but you should not have to bring two tons of metal with you everywhere you’re going,” he continued.
NTEA Executive Leadership Summit in Baltimore Fast Approaching
Join NTEA for this year’s Executive Leadership Summit, Oct. 18, 2022, at Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland.
During this annual conference, the work truck industry’s most influential leaders gather to hear commercial vehicle market trends, forecasts and insights from featured experts.
Let’s Talk About the State of Fleet: FLD Poll Results
What’s the biggest problem facing fleet? Will EVs change the face of our industry? How long have you been around this industry anyway?
By Richard Mallek, Director of Business Development at FLD
There are a lot of questions swirling around fleet these days.
Today’s fleets are facing the types of challenges one could hardly have imagined just a decade ago.
That got us to thinking at FLD. How are fleet professionals feeling after these raucous few years?
And where do they think our industry stands in the wake of these once in a lifetime challenges? Even more important, where do these same professionals think we’re headed in both the near and long term future?
Minnesota’s Transition to Electric Vehicles is Long and Bumpy
Many of the challenges to getting people into electric vehicles (EVs) aren't unique to Minnesota, such as high price tags, low supply of models and range anxiety. But there are others.
Electric buses are sitting at Minnesota factories, waiting for parts. The state trade group for auto dealers is fighting Minnesota's new clean-car standards in court. A gridlocked Legislature put critical federal dollars for electrifying transportation at risk. There's little workforce training for mechanics to service electric vehicles. The power distribution system requires upgrades and expansions so people can plug in electric cars without overloading it, and so utilities can power vehicles with green energy.
One of Minnesota's most immediate tasks is finding a state match to unlock $68 million from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The money will fund 85 new high-speed public charging stations across the state.
