Monday, July 11 was a big day for Marion – and the environment one could add – when three brand new all-electric cars were delivered to the Marion Town House with a number of town officials eagerly awaiting their arrival.
Thanks to a number of state and federal grants that the Marion Energy Management Committee pursued over the past few months, the town has acquired the new 2015 BMW i3 electric cars at practically no expense to the town – just $203 each – for the 36-month lease.
The town received $7,500 for each vehicle, along with $10,500 for charging stations, from the State’s MASSEVIP Fleet program, plus another $7,500 per vehicle in federal tax credits, totaling $55,000 in grant funding.
The i3s replace the Crown Victorias the various town departments currently use, which are rated at 18 miles per gallon when new. During the three-year lease, the i3s will operate on average, at a cost of $1,056 as opposed to the Crown Vics at $3,888, saving the town $2,832 in fuel alone.
The Board of Health, Department of Public Works, and Council on Aging will use the three new electric cars.
“The COA with its Meals on Wheels Programs is currently using their big vans and travel about 25 to 30 miles a day,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Jody Dickerson. “So it makes sense. It makes a lot of sense.”
There are two charging stations right now in Marion, one at the Town House and one at the Atlantis Avenue building, where the Department of Recreation keeps its all-electric Nissan Leaf acquired earlier this year. Locations for additional charging stations are still being planned, but will most likely be located at the Town House, the wastewater treatment plant, and possibly one other location.
Also, the charging stations are open to the public as a way for the town to promote electric vehicle adoption by town residents and employees. The charging stations are open to the public during business hours and, as of today, are free to use.
The BMW dealership offered the lowest quote when the town went out to bid to purchase the new electric cars, less expensive this time than the Nissan Leaf. The i3s can travel up to 100 miles of city driving and average about 70 miles on the highway. They are made from 100% recyclable materials, with interior parts made from recycled fabric and plastic bottles.
“Everything about this vehicle is recyclable,” said BMW dealership representative Dustin Aliano. Even the factories where the car is made are run on renewable energy sources – no fossil fuels, according to Aliano.
Energy Management Committee members Norm Hills and Jennifer Francis were present to welcome the new fleet of electric cars and inspect them, admiring their design and practicality. Town Administrator Paul Dawson and Selectman Dickerson were also outside the Town House for the cars’ delivery.
“You guys were very proactive,” said Evan Melillo to Hills and Francis, remarking on how fast the Energy Management Committee acted to secure the grants. Melillo is the assistant to the town manager of Dartmouth, who assisted the Town of Marion in acquiring the vehicles after Dartmouth did the same.
“We just moved very quickly,” replied Francis.
By Jean Perry
