Electric vehicle adoption is growing, and considered by many to be the forward-looking solution for fleet operations interested in (or tasked with) reducing their carbon footprint. But where do you start?

The Municipal Equipment Maintenance Association (MEMA) hosted EV University, an all-day event aimed at preparing government fleets for adopting electric vehicles. The event took place at a Cerritos College in southern California and consisted of two concurrent tracks: a full agenda of presentations for fleet managers and two sessions for technicians. During lunch, attendees were invited to speak to vendors.

“We were pleased to provide this day of training for fleets, whether just starting or far along in their electric vehicle journey,” said Dan Berlenbach, MEMA president and fleet services manager for the City of Long Beach, Calif. “EVs are key to reducing our fossil fuel use and emissions reduction, and government fleets are leading the charge!”

The management workshop covered all aspects of EV adoption, including:

• The benefits of leasing electric vehicles to take advantage of federal tax credits

• Working with your utility to install charging infrastructure

• Regulations to keep in mind when implementing an EV program

• Grants, cooperatives, and other methods for procuring EVs

• Vouchers and other incentive programs available for fleets.

This included guidance from the experts and first-hand experiences from local fleets. Following each presentation, attendees were welcome to ask questions and discuss how their own experiences related to each topic.

MEMA hosts quarterly meetings for members, as well as additional training sessions throughout the year (including EV University). Later this year, the association plans on hosting technician training for biodiesel vehicles.