New Chevrolet Silverado EV pickups will support expanding solid waste operations while helping the city meet California’s evolving clean fleet requirements.
The Folsom City Council unanimously approved the purchase of three new Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup trucks Tuesday night, authorizing a $166,368.93 agreement with Folsom Chevrolet to expand the city’s Solid Waste Division fleet while advancing its long-term transition toward lower-emission municipal vehicles.Â
The purchase was approved as part of the council’s consent calendar through a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute the agreement using money from the Solid Waste Operating Fund. The three electric pickup trucks will cost $55,456.31 each, including taxes and fees, with funding already budgeted in the city’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 operating budget.Â
While the vehicles will support day-to-day operations within the Utilities Department’s Solid Waste Division, the purchase is also part of the city’s broader strategy to comply with California’s evolving Advanced Clean Fleets regulations, which require state and local government agencies to transition qualifying vehicle purchases toward zero-emission models while providing flexibility for specialized equipment where practical electric alternatives remain limited.
The regulations, administered by the California Air Resources Board, are intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from public agency fleets by gradually transitioning eligible vehicles to zero-emission technology. At the same time, they recognize that some heavy-duty municipal equipment, including refuse collection trucks, currently has limited practical zero-emission alternatives.
According to city documents, the three Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup trucks will help reduce fleet emissions while providing operational flexibility as the city continues evaluating long-term fleet electrification strategies. Just as importantly, the electric pickups qualify for regulatory credits under California’s Advanced Clean Fleets program. Those credits may be applied toward future purchases of diesel-powered refuse collection trucks and other specialized heavy-duty vehicles that currently have few viable zero-emission replacements.
Rather than attempting to replace every vehicle in its fleet immediately, the city is strategically incorporating zero-emission vehicles where they make operational and financial sense while preserving flexibility for specialized equipment that remains difficult to electrify.
According to city documents, officials will continue monitoring vehicle availability, charging infrastructure, operational performance and evolving regulatory standards as part of the city’s long-term fleet replacement and sustainability planning.
The three Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup trucks are not replacing existing vehicles but instead are intended to support expanding workloads as Folsom’s population and customer base continue to grow.
According to city documents, one electric pickup truck will be assigned to cart delivery operations to support residential growth and ongoing development throughout the city. The remaining two electric pickups will be assigned to new Solid Waste Division staff positions supporting refuse collection operations, customer service, field inspections and other operational responsibilities necessary to maintain service levels for a growing community.
Before recommending the purchase, the Utilities Department worked with the city’s Fleet Division to evaluate opportunities to incorporate additional zero-emission vehicles into the department’s fleet in response to California’s clean fleet requirements. City documents state the Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup trucks could effectively meet the department’s operational needs while providing the capability necessary for daily municipal work.
Although Folsom Municipal Code allows the city to purchase the vehicles through an existing cooperative purchasing agreement with Sourcewell without conducting a traditional competitive bidding process, city staff also requested pricing from Folsom Chevrolet to compare costs and provide a local dealership the opportunity to compete for the contract.
According to city documents, Folsom Chevrolet submitted the lowest responsive quotation meeting the city’s vehicle specifications and operational requirements, earning the contract for the purchase.
The fleet vehicles are 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Crew Cab Work Truck models finished in Summit White. Each pickup truck carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $55,110 before discounts. Folsom Chevrolet offered the city a discount of $3,770.35 per vehicle—approximately 6.8% below MSRP—bringing the sale price to $51,339.65 before taxes and fees.
The electric pickup trucks include dual-motor four-wheel drive, regenerative braking, onboard power capability, advanced driver-assistance technology, LED lighting and other commercial fleet features designed to support municipal operations.
Tuesday night’s approval followed another fleet-related action by the City Council, which also approved a consultant agreement to develop a comprehensive Clean Fleet Transition Plan. That study will evaluate the city’s long-term compliance with California’s Advanced Clean Fleets regulations, future vehicle replacement strategies, charging infrastructure needs and funding opportunities across multiple city departments.
Together, the two actions represent another step in Folsom’s ongoing effort to modernize its municipal fleet while balancing operational demands, environmental requirements and fiscal responsibility as the city prepares for the next generation of public service vehicles.
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