QUESTION
Why was the funding for electric vehicle purchasing reduced, and what actions are being taken to address it?
0:16:50
·
3 min
The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) did not make the decision to cut electric vehicle purchasing funds but is actively seeking restoration of these funds amidst downward pricing trends in the market.
- The cut was externally imposed, and DCAS is discussing its impact and seeking fund restoration with partner agencies.
- Downward pricing trends in the market for electric vehicles are acknowledged, indicating a favorable procurement environment.
- DCAS is committed to achieving sustainability goals, including compliance with local law 140, which presumably relates to electric vehicle procurement.
- The discussion highlights efforts to bridge the funding gap through alternative means such as federal grants, along with a commitment to electrify the city's fleet.
Lincoln Restler
0:16:50
Considering the short term cost reductions and our sustainability goals, why do you think that this cut was imposed?
Dawn M. Pinnock
0:16:59
We did not make the decision to impose the cut.
0:17:02
However, when we were immediately notified of the cut, we did highlight the impact to our partner agency that has continued with our request to restore funds.
0:17:14
Specifically relating to what we're finding in market, you're absolutely right.
0:17:17
We are seeing a downward trend in pricing, and I will turn it over to Keith shortly.
0:17:21
He has been actively involved with talking to folks on the market to ensure that we're always securing the best pricing for New York City.
0:17:29
But to your point, we did not identify cut.
0:17:32
However, we have been actively talking about ways to restore funding, to allow us to achieve our goals with respect to local law 140.
0:17:40
Is there something you'd like to add about.
0:17:41
I'll work with the market.
UNKNOWN
0:17:43
Sure.
0:17:43
Keith Kermond, chief fleet officer, and Debbie Commissioner Decathlon.
0:17:46
Good to see you, and congratulations.
Lincoln Restler
0:17:47
Thank you.
UNKNOWN
0:17:49
So, you know, it's not hard math.
0:17:50
We have 58100 expense funded vehicles citywide, and then about another 58100 at the police department.
0:17:58
So that's the pool that has to be electrified with expense funds.
0:18:01
Then there's the capital program, which is separate.
0:18:04
So we had the ability to buy about 600 city wide.
0:18:08
We're down to about 250.
0:18:10
So we will have to bridge the gap.
0:18:11
We have time to do that.
0:18:13
So as commission mentioned, for the next year, we're on pace.
0:18:17
We've got another 6, 650 vehicles on order.
0:18:20
We will stay on pace.
0:18:21
We have a lot of electrification to do in the next year.
0:18:24
But, you know, we're we're gonna need to, you know, we're committed to this local law and to electrifying the fleet.
0:18:29
So we're gonna need to work in the gap.
0:18:31
There are different ways to do There's grant money, federal grant money to do that.
0:18:36
Obviously, restoration to the extent that we can work that out would be very, very helpful.
Lincoln Restler
0:18:41
Well, you have my commitment.
0:18:42
I'm gonna push as hard as I can for the restorations.
0:18:45
I have to say it feels to me like decast is being penalized by the mayor in OMB for doing your job.
0:18:53
Too well.
0:18:54
And because you were ahead of schedule and because you were hitting the goals that were laid out, ambitious goals around more electric vehicles being purchased.
0:19:04
The administration is taking funds out of this budget.
0:19:08
And it is it may be penny wise.
0:19:12
It's pound foolish.
0:19:12
And to meet our critical and urgent climate goals, we need to be making doubling down on these investment electric vehicles appreciate your leadership and expertise on this topic and that both of you, you know, have been working so hard and and had us ahead of schedule to be able to withstand this ill informed and cut.
0:19:31
I do wanna acknowledge, as I say, every time at this committee, former government government of ops chair, council member, Gail Brewer.
0:19:38
Thank you for joining us.
0:19:40
Those are all my fleet related questions.
0:19:42
Thank you for your great work.
0:19:43
Keith, Debbie Commissioner Kermit, and then someone else.
0:19:45
Good.
0:19:47
I'd like to shift to Decast's capital program, which is the other probably top concern of mine as it relates to Decast's preliminary budget.