The Folsom City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a new electric flatbed work truck Tuesday night as the city continues efforts to modernize its municipal fleet and reduce long-term diesel fuel use.
The action authorizes the city manager to execute an agreement with Electric Vehicle Conversions, LLC for the purchase of a new electric flatbed vehicle for the city’s Waste and Recycling division at a cost of $240,400.56 from the Solid Waste Operating Fund. City officials are also pursuing state incentive funding through California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project, known as HVIP, which could reduce the final cost by as much as $60,000.
According to the staff report presented to council Tuesday, the vehicle will be used for bulky waste collection operations throughout the city, including the pickup of appliances, tires and other large discarded materials from residents. The new truck will feature a lift gate and tilt-bed system while also offering increased hauling capacity compared to existing city flatbed vehicles.
City staff said the purchase aligns with goals outlined in the city’s 2035 General Plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering dependence on carbon-intensive fuels. The report noted that operations at the city’s corporation yard used approximately 250,000 gallons of diesel fuel during 2025, with roughly 90 percent tied to waste collection activities.
The truck will be built on a Rizon Class 5 electric chassis and configured through Electric Vehicle Conversions, LLC, which specializes in electric commercial truck platforms. Officials said the vehicle is well suited for local municipal operations involving predictable routes and frequent stop-and-go driving conditions common in waste collection work.
Staff also emphasized the move helps the city remain compliant with evolving California Air Resources Board regulations requiring increasing percentages of medium- and heavy-duty government fleet vehicles to be zero-emission.
According to the report, electric fleet vehicles are expected to reduce long-term operating expenses through lower fuel costs, reduced maintenance requirements and decreased brake wear due to regenerative braking systems. Officials also pointed to quieter operation and reduced emissions as additional benefits for the community.
The purchase will be completed through Sourcewell, a national cooperative purchasing program used by public agencies across the country. City staff stated the pricing was determined to be fair and competitive through the cooperative purchasing agreement.
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