Mayor Duggan Announces the City’s First Fully Electric Vehicle (EV) Fleet at Municipal Parking Department

 Today, the Municipal Parking Department has become the first city department to fully convert its fleet to all electric, announced Mayor Mike Duggan. Standing with MPD Director, Keith Hutchings, and other city officials, Duggan said that this is the first of what will be a larger movement to convert to electric and hybrid vehicles as part of the city’s shift toward greater sustainability.  

Last year, DDOT unveiled its first four all-electric buses; currently the city has over 250 electric and hybrid vehicles in the fleet. Detroit is now working toward converting the city’s active fleet of over 3000 vehicles to electric or hybrid vehicles, a key strategic initiative in our climate action plan to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions. Today’s announcement of 48 new Chevy Bolt EVs and 25 on-site Level 2 charging stations marks a milestone for the city.  

The new fleet was deployed this week and residents can spot the new vehicles by the decals outfitted to illustrate the fleet’s 100% electric, zero emissions capacity.  

“This is our first major step toward converting city vehicles to more environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, and I’m proud of our Municipal Parking Department and Director Keith Hutchings for leading the way,” Mayor Duggan said. “Electric vehicles are going to become the new standard everywhere, and we are going to support this transition in many ways.” 

Councilmember Scott Benson, who represents Detroit's Third District and leads the city's Green Task Force, said, "The City of Detroit has been diligent about becoming a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable community. This is a gigantic step that moves us toward my goal of making us the most sustainable, resilient city in the nation." 

“The department is honored and excited to have the opportunity to test out a total EV fleet,” Hutchings said. “These new vehicles give us a chance to help our environment and we believe they will improve the quality of life for our employees.”  

There will not be any operational changes to the parking enforcement service and the entire staff has been trained to operate the electric vehicles. Hutchings said that his department did a great deal of research to determine the best EV for its operation. He said that some MPD officers drive up to 150 miles per day and a fully charged Bolt has a range of more than 200 miles. He added, however, that officers are instructed to return the vehicles to the charging stations upon a thirty-percent charge to ensure the staff’s safety and efficiency. 

“The transition should be pretty seamless, because the vehicles will recharge overnight and have enough range to get through the next day, without having to stop,” said Hutchings said.  

Hutchings added that Kelley Blue Book recognized the Chevrolet Bolt EX as the #1 Best Electric Cars of 2023, boasting an estimated EV range of 259 miles. The conversion from gas-powered cars will save the city on the fleet’s fuel costs. The City of Detroit worked with DTE Energy to improve infrastructure at the charging site and to obtain a rebate that reduced the city’s cost for installing the charging infrastructure.   

At the press conference, Hutchings and the Mayor were joined by MPD Parking Enforcement Officer (PEO) Jovun Perry, a native Detroiter who has been employed as a PEO since August 26, 2019.  Perry often assists in training new officers and is recognized as “one of the most professional, focused, and detailed officers in the department,” Hutchings said.  

“I think it’s important that we are going to use these electric vehicles because it’s better for the environment, and with the improved safety features of a new car, we are better protected,” Perry said. 

Funding for the new fleet and infrastructure came from the city’s general fund: 

• Vehicle Cost: $26,211.00 per vehicle capitalized in a monthly lease payment of $501.02 per vehicle.  
• EV Infrastructure: $429,500.35 / 25 EV charging stations = $17,180.01 per charging station 

• Vehicle Technology and Upfitting: $1,348,830.00 / 48 vehicles = $28,100.62 per vehicle