INGLEWOOD, CA - The City of Inglewood, Calif., will transition its fleet to all-electric vehicles with help from electric fleet vehicle solution provider Rapid Electric Vehicles (REV), according to Rick Longobart, fleet management and transit services superintendent for the City of Inglewood, president of the Municipal Equipment Maintenance Association, and finalist for this year's Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year.

While the fleet currently operates several alternative-fuel models, Longobart said going electric is an easier transition for light-duty vehicles. His department has teamed up with REV to transform existing fleet vehicles to 100-percent electric with their fast-install AC drive technology, integrated data management, and networked charging station infrastructure.

The City of Inglewood and REV have been working together since first meeting at the 2009 Long Beach Plug-In Conference in August, according to Longobart.

"REV is giving North American fleet vehicle operators an opportunity to transform their passenger vehicle fleets into green driving machines," Longobart said. "For the city, this is a stepping stone for a consortium across a multitude of municipalities for greater savings."

Recognized as a 2009 Green Fleet Award Winner at the NAFA Institute & Expo in April, the City of Inglewood has been working on an alternative fuel plan focusing on the replacement of 143 vehicles and implementation of a green depot fueling infrastructure for the past six years.

In comparison to other alt-fuel options, "the benefits of going electric provide a greater return on investment with next-to-zero maintenance costs," said Longobart.

The REV 300 ACX travels 100 miles on a single charge while maintaining the performance capabilities of the original vehicle. The REV electric fleet vehicle is efficient with regenerative braking, eGear drive transmission, and less than 10 moving parts, according to the company.

Fleet managers have an opportunity to test drive REV's zero-emission, all-electric SUV at the 2009 AltCar Expo in Santa Monica, Calif. Oct. 2-3. The vehicle will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.