Township Could Power, Not Gas, up Part of Its Fleet

Gloucester Township may get into the electric car game if Township Council approves a lease agreement for four Mitsubishis.

The move would be a money-saving step and fit in with Gloucester Township’s green initiatives, township administrator Tom Cardis told Council at its March 4 work session.

An upfront cost of $2,764.22 per car covers everything for a two-year lease, the administrator said, adding that the cars normally have a suggested manufacturer’s price of $35,000 each.

“We have an opportunity to acquire electric-powered vehicles,” Cardis said. “Based on my calculations … these vehicles will pay for themselves in the gas that is saved.”

The intention is to use the cars for construction and code enforcement, as those employees regularly drive around the township.

Each car can hold a charge long enough for 80 miles of driving daily, Cardis continued. The lease, which would run through Cherry Hill Triplex, limits the annual mileage to 12,000, or 57 miles a day based on a four-day workweek.

“We’ll have to arrange to have Public Works hook up an outlet to connect them to in the parking areas,” Cardis noted. He did not specify Monday how much outlets might cost. Patch could not reach Cardis for further clarification on details of the lease before press time.

Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV model is a fully electric car with no emissions and is soundless, the company says, and has an equivalent of 112 miles per gallon.

Consumer Reports was far from enamored, however, putting the “glorified golf cart” cruise charge life at 60 miles, and noting that each full charge can take six to seven hours. But the car is among the most efficient the consumer magazine has ever tested, a reviewer noted (click on the video above to watch.) 

Councilman Sam Siler inquired about the cars’ maintenance cost during the lease period.

“I think it’s minimal; it’s mainly the batteries,” Cardis responded. “We can discuss that with Cherry Hill Triplex. I don’t believe that would inhibit us from moving forward here. We’re going to be saving more than what the lease payments are in gasoline.”

The lease agreement would be a one-time deal, and Gloucester Township would have to return the cars after two years.

Council could take up the matter at its next meeting on March 11. Council would only have to approve a resolution to execute the lease.