The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in conjunction with Office of General Services (OGS) is in the process of developing a second aggregate purchase of zero-emission vehicles this winter. This initiative will increase the number of fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly assets in government fleets across the state. During the aggregate purchase in spring 2016, the initiative allowed for the purchase price of 63 Chevy Volts at roughly an 11 percent discount, and significant savings are anticipated in this round as well.

There will be a few changes from the previous aggregate purchase, including:

Instead of choosing one type of vehicle for the mini-bid, a more generic minimum set of specifications will allow bids from different automakers, increasing the competition to lower the end price.

Two separate aggregate purchases will be awarded, one for plug-in hybrids and one for pure battery electric vehicles.

Municipalities may save even more on their vehicle purchase through the Climate Smart Communities Municipal Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and ZEV Infrastructure Rebate Program, which offers rebates to municipalities for costs associated with the purchase or lease (for at least 36 months) of eligible clean vehicles.

OGS and DEC are in the early stages of organizing this aggregate purchase and will have more details soon, including the vehicle specifications. Orders will be due to OGS Fleet Management in Mid-February. The specific date has not yet been released. If you have any questions or comments please contact Pamela.HadadHurst@dec.ny.gov or Anna.Eckstein-Burns@ogs.ny.gov.