Indianapolis is replacing entire car fleet with electric, plug-in hybrids

Indianapolis said today that it is the first city in the United States to require the purchase of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles for the city's entire fleet of non-police vehicles.

Over time, as the city's 500 non-police cars need to be replace they will be swapped for electric cars or plug-in hybrids. About 50 cars are replaced each year, according to the Associated Press, so it is expected that the entire fleet will be converted by 2025. The city estimates that the move will save taxpayers $12,000 per car over its 10-year life span.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard touted the decision as a move to reduce dependence on foreign oil.

In addition to the conversion of non-police vehicles, the city plans to partner with automakers to develop plug-in hybrid police cars. Currently, the city's police cars achieve a paltry 10 miles per gallon. A 40 mile per gallon police plug-in hybrid could save the city an estimated $10 million per year.

The city is also partnering with organizations to help convert its heavy vehicle fleet -- like snow plows, trash trucks and fire engines -- to vehicles that run on compressed natural gas.

Indianapolis, the 12th largest city in the United States, has 200 charging station and, according to the AP, is working with the private sector to increase that number.

Indianapolis plans to replace entire city fleet with electric, plug-in hybrids by 2025 [Associated Press]

Mayor Ballard Announces Plan to Modernize City Fleet to Plug-ins/Non-Oil Fuel by 2025 [City of Indianapolis]

Photo: Flickr/hyku

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com